The Nigeria Customs Service NCS,Port Harcourt II,Area Command,Onne Port, has disclosed that it generated a total of Ninety–Four Billion, Forty-Four Million, Six Hundred and Seventy-Six Thousand, Four Hundred and Twenty-Eight Naira and one kobo (N94,044,676,428.01) in 2018.
The Area Comptroller in charge, Aliyu Galadima Saidu made the disclosure while addressing the press on the Commands score card in terms of its operation in 2018 and the first quarter of 2019.
He explained that though the amount generated is about 80% of allotted Annual Target of ₦117.8 billion,it is comparatively better than its performance in 2017 when the command realized Three Hundred and Seventy-Three Million, Two Hundred and Twenty-Six Thousand, Nine Hundred and Ninety Naira, and Seventy-Four Kobo (₦373,226,990.74),an increase of about 0.35% Revenue Collection.
“Specifically, when relating the revenue collected and seizures to the operational strategies used, I am happy to inform you that the Command focused mainly on intelligence base risk profiling of our system with 100% physical examination of cargo at the various terminals and sheds; meetings and sensitizing the stakeholders on the need and benefits of compliance; application of due diligence and professionalism in documentation and examination of cargoes.
One other important step taken is building synergy with other relevant government agencies such as NAFDAC, SON, Port Health, NDLEA and other sister security agencies especially Navy, Police and Immigration for information which has proven to be useful at crucial moments.”
Comptroller Saidu gave the number of seizures recorded by the Command as sixty-one (61) which consists of various items such as 9 x 40 ft containers of Tramadol, Hyergra, Diclofenac and Analgesic Tablets of different types; 64 of 20 containers of foreign parboiled rice and other items such as military uniforms, boots and caps with a total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of One Billion, Six Hundred and Seventeen Thousand, One Hundred and Fifty-Three Thousand, Seven Hundred and Fifty-Three Naira (₦1,617,153,753.00).
A comparative review of the seizure profile of 2017 revealed that the year 2018 surpassed with 37 seizures and DPV of ₦1,147,142,275 bringing to about 60.7% increase in seizures and 70.9% increase in DPV as regards to general enforcement.
“More so, we seized one hundred and twenty-six (126) containers which is 81% increase of the twenty-four (24) containers confiscated in the preceding year 2017, “the Customs boss further explained.
He noted that all ICG seizures followed various infractions such as false declaration, concealment, wrong classification, import without end user certificate and complete disregards of import and export guidelines with intent to smuggle in illicit goods.
The Command has worked in synergy with other Customs Units such as the Customs Intelligence Unit (CIU), Valuation, CG’s Strike Force and Post Clearance Audit (PCA) to achieve maximum compliance to the extant laws on import and export for increased revenue generation; and anti-smuggling feat.
Again, the Command recorded a high level of compliance on export declarations.
” A total of 136,973,413.92 metric tonnes of exported goods with a total Free On Board (FOB) value of $1,126,516,635.9 which is equivalent to ₦409,083,251,160.73 (at N363.14 per dollar) was realized,”he said.
The Command has started the year 2019 on a promising note,as he told the press that during the first quarter, the Command has been able to generate the sum of ₦25,561,932,417.78 when compared to ₦18,857,668,490.00 generated in the first quarter of 2018.
“We have already recorded seizures of nine (9) containers comprising 57,300 pieces of machetes without end-user certificates; 2,000 Jerry Cans of 25 litres of vegetable oil; 6,456 cartons of foreign soap; 535 bales and 142 cartons of wears; and 69 bags of foreign rice with a total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of ₦106,889,670.00,” he announced.
He attributed the overall achievement in revenue generation to the support of the Comptroller-General of Customs and his Management Team with the full deployment of NICIS II application in the Command.
This deployment according to him necessitated training of five hundred and twenty (520) Officers/Men, and the resultant effect has yielded an intrinsic advantage in terms of revenue, control of infractions in the system and increased compliance level as a result of the additional functionalities.
Furthermore,he revealed, the Command has started in-house training of its Officers and Men on trade facilitation and with emphasis on oil and gas equipment.
He reassured users of the ports of the Command resolution to achieve speedy clearance of cargo from the ports, and also reduce the cost of doing business in the Maritime Industry owing to the Presidential directives on Ease of Doing Business.
Comptroller Saidu also affirmed the zero tolerance of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali (Rtd.) for smuggling ,warning that the Service will do everything within its capacity to fight it to standstill.
He pleaded with the stakeholders to continue to live upright in their declarations with due diligence and professionalism in proper documentation to avoid the negative consequences of contravening the law.
The customs boss thanked the press for their support and cooperation with the command to educate and sensitize the general public on the command core mandate of revenue collection, facilitation of legitimate trade and enforcement of the fiscal policies of the federal Government in terms of trade.
Customs,PHII,Onne Port posted N94.044bn revenue in 2018. ..N25.561bn already rake in 1st quarter 2019. The Nigeria Customs Service NCS,Port Harcourt II,Area Command,Onne Port, has disclosed that it generated a total of Ninety–Four Billion, Forty-Four Million, Six Hundred and Seventy-Six Thousand, Four Hundred and Twenty-Eight Naira and one kobo (N94,044,676,428.01) in 2018.