The Onne Customs Area Command in Rivers State has achieved 50.4 per cent of its revenue target for 2024 even as the command recorded successes in other areas of its mandate
Jude Nzennaya Port Harcourt
During a press briefing at the command’s headquarters in Onne Rivers State, on Friday, June 24, 2024, Comptroller Mohammed Babandede, Customs Area Controller of Port Harcourt Area II, told newsmen that the Command under his watch was able to generate more than half of its revenue target for this year.
Speaking at the event, Comptroller Babandede said, “Firstly, upon my arrival to the Command, I received briefings on activities of the Command from my predecessor, my Officers and Stakeholders.
“I am delighted to showcase our successes recorded so far, since I assumed duty as the Area Controller of the Command in April this year”.
Speaking further, the CAC added, “Then, I embarked on courtesy visits to Bonded Terminals, various sister Agencies and had series of meetings with stakeholders to seek for their cooperation in terms of collaboration, synergy and information sharing, in line with the Controller General of Customs Bashir Adewale Adeniyi mfr dsm fnipr fniia psc (+) Policy thrust of consolidation and collaboration. The result of these actions will be revealed shortly.
“I will start with revenue generation. The Command was initially given a target of 494 Billion before it was reviewed two week ago to 618 Billion naira as revenue target for year 2024. As at the end of May 2024, the Command had generated a total revenue of Two hundred and Forty-Nine Billion, Seven hundred and Fifty-Two Million, Two hundred and Sixty-Eight thousand, Two hundred and Ninety-Eight naira, Twenty-Eight kobo (₦249,752,268,298.28) which translate 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 this morning 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. We look forward to continuous rise in revenue generation in the coming months and we are optimistic that we would surpass the annual target by the end of the year.
“On anti-smuggling activities, we have on display 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 today we have on display a seized Container of used electronics which has turned to e-waste. 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.
Some of the seizures made by the command within the period under review include,
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, 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.
Put together, the total Duty Paid Value of the seven 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. I want to also use this opportunity to thank the NDLEA for their collaboration and inter-agency cooperation as seizures of this magnitude could not have been possible without their involvement. Nevertheless, investigation is still ongoing through our 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”, Babandede added.
The CAC assured the general public of the command’s mandate to continue on the path of achieving success in its core areas of operation. He said, “The Command shall continue to address our 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 further said, “I recognize the critical role the media plays, especially in the area of sensitization and public enlightenment, in order to achieve willful compliance to trade laws of all imports and export through this axis. Please continue to educate the public while the Command will continue to re-invigorate strategies that will enhance our performance”.
