The Seme Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has collected a total of Six billion, two hundred and ninety four million, eight hundred and sixty thousand, one hundred and eighty two Naira, ninety eight Kobo (N6,294,860,182.98) in the year 2018 which represents about 76% of the total revenue target allocated to the command.
Also, the command’s Enforcement Unit in an aggressive anti-smuggling drive against smugglers and non-compliant stakeholders also effectively combated smuggling activities leading to a total of 1,119 seizures with a DutyPpaid Value (DPV) of one billion, three hundred and ninety four million, one hundred and thirty six thousand and twenty three Naira (N1,394,136,023.00).
The breakdown of the seizure included; 37,568 bags of 50kg foreign rice which is equivalent to over 63 Trailers of rice with DPV of N876,085,760; 1,072 X 50litres Jerry Cans of vegetable oil with DPV of N13,675,650; 169 vehicles with DPV of N367,589,475; 1,570 X 50kg Bags of sugar with DPV of N6,594,000 and general merchandise (10,439 items) worth N100,773,668.
Others are; 2,300 Cartons of Poultry Products worth N20,700,000; 168 pieces of used tyres with DPV of N768,600; 3,954 litres of Petroleum Products worth N217,470 and 119 parcels of hard drugs/Narcotics which had been successfully handed over to NDLEA.
It will be recalled that one of the suspects, Difo Kenneth Cornelius who was transferred to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Seme command in August 2018 has been imprisoned for a term of 2 years on 30th November, 2018 for unlawful possession of 7kgs of Cannabis Sativa.
Other achievements made by the command within the year under review include; 1.Export – total FOB value of goods exported from January to December 2018 stood at N14,612,402,601.07 with a total NESS payment of N73,061,986.42
- ETLS- 2, 744 trucks were recorded for the period under review, and the revenue realized (1% CISS) stood at N88,288,514.75; The revenue was generated from the importation of Cadbury hot-chocolate, Unilever Blue band, Unilever BBM tub/lid, Binding wires etc.
- Baggage – a total of 1,078 vehicles were given Lasse Passe from January to December 2018; and e-payment realized stood at N569,411,002.00 under baggage assessment.
- Anti-Money Laundering/Counter Financing of Terrorism- the grand total inward declarations for the year under review stood at 767,102,805CFA Goldbar worth, 2,455,600 Dollars, 25,000 Euros and 2,200,000.00 Naira; Thus providing statistical data to the Government as required by law.
- Legal – Seven (7) cases are in various stages of prosecution at the courts for the period under review. There are three (3) judgments given in the command’s favour. The successful prosecution of the suspects will serve as a deterrent and in due course, the command will be a no-go area for such illegalities by the economic saboteurs.
A statement from the Public Relations officer of the command, Mr. Saidu Nurudeen Abdullahi however put the grand total for both revenue and seizures at nine billion, two hundred and forty seven million, eight hundred and nine thousand and sixty five Naira, ninety eight Kobo (N9,247,809,065.98).
Speaking on the achievements of the command in the last one year, the Customs Area Controller of the command, Comptroller Mohammed Uba Garba re-stated that the command will deploy more strategies to ensure that all revenue leakages were blocked and stakeholders who were ready to comply with proper procedures and guidelines were adequately sensitized to take advantage of the legitimate process in their transactions.
He affirmed that the command was ready to explore all avenues in order to ensure that the new target for the year was not only met but exceeded with the inauguration and resumption of operations at the new Joint border post.
The Customs Area Controller reiterated his commitment to continue sanitizing the border command to meet with other international standards while warning officers and men of the command not to compromise rather to be committed to the implementation of government fiscal policies.
Comptroller Mohammed, attributed the success to the commitment and dedication of the officers and men of the command who were ready to sacrifice their lives in the midst of intimidation and threats even as he acknowledged the ethical and administrative support from the Comptroller General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali (Rtd.) and his Management Team while equally extending his appreciation to all sister agencies both locally and internationally.
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