The Port Harcourt Area 11 Command of Nigeria Customs Service, Onne, Rivers State said it has generated a total revenue of₦107,336,142,823.59 fro the year 2019.
The amount generated for 2019 surpasses the annual target of ₦95,711,502,149.33 with ₦11,642,640,674.26, representing 112 percent of the year target.
According to a press statement issued by the Command’s image Maker Ifeoma Onuigbo Ojekwu as approved by the Area Controller of the Command , Comptroller Aliyu Galadima Saidu, explained that a total of 24 seizures with Duty Paid Value (DPV) of ₦1,278,708,011.00) were recorded in the command anti-smuggling feats during the same period.
The breakdown of the seizures made are said to includes , 15,317 jerry-cans of 25-litres of vegetable oil, with DPV of ₦110,211,278.00, 20 x 20 ft containers loaded with tin-tomatoes paste with DPV of ₦272,261,026.00, 13,306 cartons of Eva complexion soap (detergent) with DPV of ₦125,966,675.00 and 1 x 20 ft container comprising 715 bales of fabric/textile (wax materials) with DPV of N25,433,278.46.
Others are One 40 ft container loaded with scrap metal of various sizes and types worth ₦5,386,979.00, 4 x 20 ft container loaded with 160 logs of hardwood with DPV of ₦19,342,838.00,40 ft container loaded with 1,014 cartons of machetes, 1300 sacks of shovel, 100 carton of sickle, 172 packs of digger with DPV of ₦52,463,008.00 , 4,566 bags of 50 kg parboiled rice worth ₦57,471,308.61 and 540 bundles of corrugated Aluminum sheets with DPV of ₦561,753,188.00 among others
The statements explained in parts that the seizures includes 99 containers comprising vegetable oil, detergents, bags of foreign rice, scraps metals, corrugated aluminum sheets, furniture, tin tomatoes (tomato paste), insect repellant/killer, bales of fabrics and wax materials.
The seizures as explained were made due to wrong documentations , false declarations, wrong classifications, concealments with the aim of evading payment of correct duties as well as non provision of end user certificates for the imported machetes.
On the area of exports, 255,407 metric tonnes of goods with a total Free On Board (FOB) value of $78,402,057 equivalent to ₦28,420,745,662.5 @ ₦362.5 per dollar was processed through the area command in the same year.
Comparing the revenue generated between year 2018 and year 2019; a total sum of N94,044,676,428.01 was realized in Year 2018, showing 14% increase in revenue generated in year 2019 as against year 2018.
The Area controller who frowned at the continued menace of smuggling across the ports and borders, laments on the detrimental effect it has on the nation’s security, social and economic well being.
He however advised those involved in such unpatriotic behavior to desist from it, and warned that the command will not spare anyone as efforts will be intensified in locating and investigating the economic saboteurs, no matter how they hide.
He urged genuine business men to continue being law abiding and run their businesses with utmost compliance with the law as a way to build trust and integrity in their dealings.
He also expressed appreciation to the Comptroller–General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali (Rtd.) and his management team for their consistent encouragement and support; while reassuring continued resilience and diligence of officers and men of the Command in carrying out all statutory responsibilities without compromise.
He extends a hands of fellowship to stakeholders including sister agencies, the business community and other organizations, for their support and cooperation with the command, while commending the resilience and diligence of all the officers, he urged that the effort be sustained and improved upon.
He equally thanked members of the press for their continued partnership with the command, and assured of an open door policy for conveying information to the public.
Saidu said, “2019 has come and gone. I want to commend you all for your effort in revenue collection, trade facilitation and anti-smuggling. We can do better than we did last year by staying more vigilant against smuggling, duty evasion, concealment, under declaration and other unlawful acts.”
“Those involved in trade related malpractices will be looking for ways to beat the system, but we have deployed our trainings to productivity through diligent profiling, uncompromising examination, improved trade facilitation, strategized intelligence and tact exhibition for this year 2020 and beyond.”
