Onne Customs Generates Over 249bn Showcases Seizure Of e-Waste Laden Container, Others
Onne Customs Generates Over 249bn
Showcases Seizure Of e-Waste Laden Container, Others
By Jerry Aguigbo
The Nigeria Customs Service, Area 2 Command Onne has at the end of May 2024, generated a total revenue of ₦249,752,268,298.28 out of the 618bn target allocated it. According to Comptroller Mohammed Babanded, Area Controller Onne Customs Command, this translates to 50.4% of the initial target and 40.3% of the current annual target. When compared to the same period last year, the Command had an increase in revenue generation of One hundred and Fifty-Three billion, Two hundred and Thirteen Million, Seven hundred Thousand, Four hundred and Fifty naira, fifteen Kobo (₦153,213,700,450.15). “It is worthy to note that despite the NLC strike, Democracy day and Sallah holiday, as at time of this report, the Command has generated Forty-Three billion, Four hundred and Thirty Million, Two hundred and Sixty Seven Thousand, Two hundred and Ten naira ₦43,430,267,210.00 in the month of June 2024.
On anti-smuggling activities, the Controller conducted a display of six (6) seized Containers for violations or contraventions of various customs laws and breach of procedures as provided under the revised import prohibition guidelines of the Common External Tariff 2022-2026, as well as Sections 233, 234, 235, 245, 246 of Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023. Also on display is a seized Container of used electronics which has turned to e-waste.
His words: “As you are aware of the environmental effect such waste pose to human lives, for the purpose of disposal we shall be working with the National Environmental Standards and Regulation Enforcement Agency (NESREA) in the spirit of inter-agency cooperation, synergy and in line with section 119 & 245 of the NCS Act 2023 to have it disposed.
Other seized items on display are as follows:
Four (4)x20 feet containers laden with bales of clothing, lace and fabrics i.e (96 jumbo size in total) with Duty Paid Value of ₦911,520,011.00.
Also seized were 2×40 feet containers laden with 2,625 cartons of cough syrup codeine, 80 cartons of Sildenatil Citrate tablets and 40 cartons of deluxe chilly cutter with Duty Paid Value of ₦2,250,654,000.00 (Based on concealment, false declaration, contravention of revised import prohibition guideline and section 55 Sub-section (1) paragraphs (C) and (I) of NCS Act 2023). The content of these importations contravene the provision of the law which prohibits and restricts certain goods for the protection of the public health and safety
Put together, the total Duty Paid Value of the 7 seized containers stands at ₦3,188,454,452. Let me state here that the above seizures were made purely from intelligence gathered and information sharing with sister agency alongside 100% physical examination.” He thanked the NDLEA for their collaboration and inter-agency cooperation as seizures of this magnitude could not have been possible without their involvement.
Babanded disclosed that investigation is still ongoing through the Legal/Intelligent Unit to arrest the culprits and bring them to book as soon as possible.
“These containers are currently in our Government Warehouse and would be shown to members of the press shortly. The seized containers would be filed for condemnation at the federal High Court, Port Harcourt and shall subsequently be forfeited to the Federal Government.”
Controller Babanded reiterated the Command’s resolve to continue to address its core responsibilities by employing various risk management strategies aimed at collecting revenue, identifying vulnerable leakages, gathering intelligence and facilitating trade. “We cannot but underscore the necessity and imperativeness of leveraging on synergy, collaboration and intelligence sharing with sister agencies and stakeholders as it enhances our revenue drive and anti-smuggling feats. These deliberate and concerted efforts will guide us in contributing our quota towards realizing remarkable results in line with Vision and Mission of the Comptroller General of Customs Bashir Adewale Adeniyi mfr and His Management Team,” he said.
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