Onne Customs Command Generates Over ₦54b Revenue
…Intercepts 27 Containers in 3 Months
The Nigeria Customs Service Porthacourt II Area Command Onne has generated the sum of Fifty Four Billion, Nine Hundred and Ninety-Two Million, One Hundred and Twenty-Three Thousand, Six Hundred and Eighty-Seven Naira, Fifteen Kobo as revenue (N54, 992, 123, 687.15) from January to March 2023.
This was made known by the Area Controller in charge of Area 2 Command, Onne, Comptroller Baba Imam on Tuesday during a press briefing in Onne, Rivers state.
He stated that his Command will only be merciful to compliant traders who are willing to operate in accordance with import and export guidelines and will hesitate to be ruthless to the perpetrators of illegal trading.
Comptroller Imam further expressed his readiness to sustain the tempo of increased revenue generation in the coming months “this figure realized is in spite of not having vessels berth in Onne Port for some time due to the Election atmosphere.” He added.
He also recalled how his men recorded huge success in fighting against smuggling leading to the confiscation of 27 containers comprising 26 seized Containers and one detained container. The interactions are based on the violation of various Customs laws and breach of procedures as provided under the revised import prohibition trade guidelines.
“These seizures and detention were made based on infractions related to import guidelines, which include: Contraband Goods, False declaration, End-user certificate requirement from the office of the National Security Adviser and NAFDAC permit/license among others.” Controller Imam said.
He further explained that the seized items found in the 24 containers were: 2 containers laden with 1,165 cartons of Analgin injection and Fireworks with other items, 210 cartons of Banga, 273 cartons of W.Tail, 216 cartons of Coloured flowers, 180 cartons of Pops and 24,860 gallons of refined vegetable oil with duty paid value of ₦833,172,538.42.
“The total duty paid value for the two (2) containers is ₦94,652,168.39. Put together, the total duty paid value of the 26 seized containers stands at ₦94,652,168.39.” He days.
He affirmed that all the seized cartons of Analgin injection will be handed over to NAFDAC, adding that his command will continue to build on this robust relationship with other sister agencies to rid the society of criminal elements that are working against the interest of the country.
Similarly, a 20 ft container containing machetes was detained on documentation grounds pending the provision of an End user Certificate, adding that investigation is still ongoing.
