The New Experience Newspapers Online News Indepth, Analysis and More
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Seme Area Command are making drug traffickers, as well as economic saboteurs, count their losses as the Command recorded over N1.6bn from Seizures and revenue generated by the Command in the last eight months.
Addressing Journalists yesterday during the press briefing, the Area Controller Comptroller Bello Mohammed Jibo informed. “The Command make remarkable seizure of One thousand two hundred and forty-four (1244) smuggled items with a duty paid value of Eight hundred and eighty-six million, four hundred and twenty-eight thousand, one hundred and sixty-three Naira forty-one kobo (N886, 428, 163.41).
In July 2021 the Command made a huge seizure of three thousand, one hundred and eighty-six (3,186) parcels of cannabis Sativa known as ( Indian hemp ) concealed with sharp sand along Badagry-Seme road. Also, recall that not long ago the Command handed over two hundred and thirty-two (232) parcels of cannabis Sativa to National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Special Command Seme.
Handing over the combined total of 3,447 parcels of Cannabis Sativa ( Indian hemp ) with the street values estimated to be ninety-eight million, nine hundred and eighty-three thousand, eight hundred and thirty-six naira, forty kobos. ( N98,983,836.40) to operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency ( NDLEA ), the Area Controller Comptroller Bello Mohammed Jibo informed.
“Professionalism and integrity remain a guiding principle to officers in the discharge of our duties. The dedication, commitment of our officers and a very good working relationship with our stakeholders contributed immensely to the successes achieved within the period under review”
In a similar vein, the reinvigorated Command’s drive against the smuggling of premium motor spirit (PMS), Seme Command under the watch of Comptroller Bello Mohammed Jibo recorded tremendous achievements.
He said. “During the period under review, the Command recorded ten thousand, three hundred and nine (10,309) jerry cans of PMS twenty-five (25 litres each), this is equivalent to eight (8) trailers tankers load of thirty-three thousand litres each.
Other seizures made within the same period include;
- Rice= 10,706 bagsX50Kg each
- NPK Fertilizer= 44bags
- Frozen Poultry Product= 608 cartons
- Cigarette= 784 rolls
- Smuggled vehicles=109 Units
- Vegetable oil= Eleven (11) jerry cans of 25 litres each
- Tomatoes paste= 843 cartons
- Used Shoes= 605 pairs and twelve (12) sacks
- Used clothes= seventeen (17) sacks and seven (7) bales
- Used tyres= 19 pics
- Herbicides= 153 sachets
- Different drugs =1419 packs and other general merchandise.
- Out of the total smuggled vehicles intercepted, thirty-seven (37) are presently in court awaiting condemnation”.
“The above successes recorded could be attributed to the continuous robust stakeholders engagements, vigorous intelligence gathering through collaboration with the host communities, especially the youth, security agencies and the determination, and commitment demonstrated by the officers and men of the Command and ensuring compliance to extant government fiscal policies as relates to import and export.”
In a bid to ensure significant improvement of the revenue collection, the Command began the activities of the year, 2021 with a focus on the main objectives of revenue collection and facilitation of legitimate trade. However, the Benin Republic economic policies affected the revenue drive of the Command as all goods transiting through Benin were mandated to pay some duties and levies by the government of Benin Republic which is contrary to ECOWAS protocols and international transit agreements.
However, the Command collected the sum of seven hundred and eighteen million, eight hundred and twenty-eight thousand, five hundred and twenty-nine Naira eighty-five kobo (N718, 828, 529.85) as revenue during the period under review.
In addition to that, the Command processed and exited exported trade volume of six hundred and thirty-five thousand, one hundred and forty-nine, twenty-three (635, 149.23) MT, with the Free Onboard (FOB) value of fifteen billion, five hundred and sixty-four million, one hundred and thirty thousand, five hundred and eighteen Naira, nine kobos (N15, 564, 130, 518.09), and the NESS value of seventy-eight million, two hundred and three thousand, seven hundred and seventy-nine naira, eighty-one kobo (N78, 203, 779. 81), during the period under review. Under ETLS, the Command also treated and exited one thousand, three hundred and fourteen (1,314) trucks of goods under the scheme.
Making the Grand total for both seizure and revenue during the period under review to One billion, Six hundred and five million, two hundred and fifty-six thousand, six hundred and ninety-three Naira, twenty-six kobo (N1, 605, 256, 693. 26).
The CAC appreciate the maximum cooperation received from stakeholders, the Border Communities, security agencies as well as the media for their support, patriotism and cooperation always.
He also appreciate and thanked the Comptroller General of Customs and the management team for their support and guidance, and the gallant and patriotic officers of the Command for their commitment to the development and progress of the Nation.