The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Area 1 Command Port Harcourt records N92.3bn revenue in 2022 Jude Nzennaya , Port Harcourt
A total sum of Ninety two billion, three hundred and twenty-nine million, eight hundred and eleven thousand, seven hundred and fifteen thousand, forty kobo (#92,329,811,715.40) was collected as revenue for the year 2022 by the Nigeria Customs Service, Area 1 Command, Port Harcourt.
This was disclosed by the Customs Area Comptroller (CAC), Ibrahim Muhammad during a press briefing in Port Harcourt. This figure represents 12% increase from (#81,313,484,983.60) recorded in 2021 by the Command.
He explained that the amount was achieve despite the general low influx of cargoes into Port Harcourt port in 2022, as revenue collected from the Port Harcourt International Airport created a substantial boost by contributing the sum of (#11,016,326,731.80)
This, the CAC said represents an increase from (#8,022,099,800.00) collected in 2021. The CAC also said that the Command recorded a total sum of (#5,124,605,850.00) from Excise Duty in 2022 as against (#4,186,308,066.00) collected in 2021. Accordingly this indicates an increase of (#938,297,784.00), which is 18% difference.
On export, Comptroller Muhammad said that a total of (17,126,930.06) Metric tons of exports were processed in crude oil export in 2022. This, he said represents 76% increase as compared to 4,127,874.74 metric tons recorded in 2021. He further said that Free On Board (FOB) in 2022 amounted to ($3,003,501,358.93) in 2022 as against ($1,984,007,424.35) recorded in 2021.
In Anti Smuggling as the Command acted on a credible intelligence source seized four (4×20Ft) containers containing a total of 2,965(25litres) Jerry cans vegetable oil concealed alongside other items such as granite stones, cartons of tiles, ceramics, cable wire rolls and Jotun Cover plus paints, among other dutiable items. Other seizures, the CAC said include one(1×40Ft) container containing 481 bales of second hand clothing as well as one(1×20Ft) container carrying 700 packages of matchetes and 107 packages of shovels. The container, Comptroller Ibrahim said was detained pending the production of an End- User-Certificate from the office of the National Security Adviser as he said.
“The measure was taken because the Country is in her electioneering period and item such as that must be given adequate approval before release”.
A combined Duty Paid Value (DPV) for the seized containers, the CAC said amount to (#112,682,893.90).
Muhammad said a case file has been opened and other follow-up actions are in progress, stressing that these acts of illegal importations violate Schedule 3 of the Customs External Tariff and as such the cargoes are liable to outright seizures. The CAC used the opportunity to advise the trading public/stakeholders to be wary of people that could lure them into the act of economic sabotage for any reason. He thanked the Comptroller General of Customs (CGC), Col Hameed Ali, Rtd and his Management Team for their support that produced the above result. He equally commended other stakeholders, including the media for their collaboration and support, pledging to surpass the current record in the preceding year while appealing for continuous cooperation to move the Command forward.
