ANDREW UTULU
It has been the Comptroller Dera Nnadi-led Tincan Island Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), that surpassed the revenue target set for it for the first quarter of 2024 by a whopping 139 percent.
The Command during the same period, also disclosed that a total of 57 packets of Heroine weighing 56.390kg with a street value of N902, 240,000.00; 3612 packets of Colorado Indica weighing 956.772kg with a street value of N4,055,400,000.00 were intercepted, seized and subsequently handed over to appropriate sister agencies for further investigation.
Nneoma Okwara, Customs Public Relations Officer (CPRO), Tincan Island Command disclosed in a statement signed for the Customs Area Controller (CAC) of the command, Comptroller Dera Nnadi and made available to Daily Independent.
The CAC also in the statement commended officers and men of the command for embracing service delivery for their stakeholders and for teamwork which, which he said resulted to the surpassing of revenue target set for the command in the first quarter of 2024 by 139%, with a difference of N177,079,358,035.36, when compared to the same period in 2023.
The Customs boss attributed the achievements to all efforts that were put in place by all units in the command.
Stating further, the Customs image maker said: “Those were some of the statements of the Customs Area Controller to all Deputy & Assistant Comptrollers and Units Heads on April 15, 2024, during his brief meeting session where challenges, modalities and new strategies were discussed on how to meet revenue target for the month of April and months ahead despite the series of holidays.”
The CAC reminded the officers that stakeholders should be held in high esteem and treated with respect, but with due diligence to identify compliant and non-compliant traders.
On revenue generation, the command said it recorded a total collection of N303,937,547,265.47 in the first quarter of 2024 (Q1 2024).
This was against the N126,858,189,231.31 recorded in the same period of 2023.
Giving a breakdown, the Customs PRO said the command collected a total of N88,430,126,122.72, in the month of January 2024, indicating a 107.9% upscale from the revenue collected for same period of January 2023; which was N42,536,336,038.11.
In the month of February 2024, the command generated N100,399,354,887.71, which is 141.8% higher than the value collected in the same period in 2023 which was N41,518,738,649.09.
In the month of March 2024, the Command recorded the sum of N115,108,066,256.20; as against the N42,803,114,544.11 collected for March 30, 2023, adding that this represented an increase of 163.9%.
The Command’s Enforcement and Anti-Smuggling Unit, according to the statement, had not relented in its effort to combat smuggling and all forms of criminality.
“Customs being the lead agency at the ports through its enforcement unit has coordinated several 100% physical examination under my supervision in collaboration with critical stakeholders to ensure that the command is freed of any form of non-compliance in line with the International trade cycle.
“A total of 57 packets of heroine weighing 56.390kg with a street value of N902, 240,000.00); 3612 packets of Colorado Indica weighing 956.772kg, with a street value of N4,055,400,000.00.
All the seized illicit drugs have been handed over to the relevant sister agencies as directed by the service.
“The Area Command has in the past few months hosted different sections of stakeholders’ forum (shipping companies; terminal operators; freight forwarders and security agencies ), physically and virtually on modalities to automate communication channel to minimise revenue loss and boost rules of engagement.
“I have the honour to inform you that irrespective of the challenges observed, the Area Command has not relented on its efforts to ensure that the aim is achieved.
The TRS as a customs process aims to enhance efficiency and effectiveness within customs operations by assessing the time it takes for goods to be released from terminals within the port premises. This will be unveiled with time, yet be assured that there is progress.
Speaking on the establishment of new terminals at TCIP, the Customs boss said:
“In her effort to create a level playing field for importers and stakeholders by decongesting the ports, the command encouraged stakeholders’ approach for the establishment of new terminals. Activities have long commenced at the terminals, respectively.
“In terms of volume (MT) and value (FOB), export trade recorded exponential growth within the same period under review. Comparatively, tonnage of goods exported via TCIP increased from 145,906.33 metric tonnes in 2023 to 251,679.89 MT in 2024 and represents an increase of 95.3%. Also, there is an over 300% increase in the FOB value of the exports from N80,993,580,710 to N287,792,767,415.00 of Q1 2023 and 2024 respectively.
“Exports from the command includes essentially agricultural and other allied products, namely; cocoa-butter, cocoa beans, cashew nuts etc.
“We continue to express our profound appreciation for the support and clear sense of direction from the Comptroller General of Customs, BA Adeniyi and his management team for their relentless and continuous efforts towards strengthening the capacity of the service and introducing innovative methods to perform its statutory responsibilities in line with international best practices.
“The area command will continue to put in more efforts towards better performance. We are optimistic that with the content of digitalization of all Customs processes and procedures based on the modernisation agenda of the Service we will achieve more in our responsibilities,’ Nnadi assured.
Stating earlier, Compt. Nnadi said: “I wish to welcome everyone back from the Easter and Sallah holidays. May our prayers offered in good faith for our service and Nation during and after the holy season be accepted.
“I sincerely wish to congratulate officers & men of the command for embracing service delivery for our stakeholders and for teamwork which resulted to the Area Command surpassing of its first quarter revenue target for 2024 by 139%, with a difference of N177,079,358,035.36, when compared to the same period of the year 2023. All efforts put in place by all Units in the Area Command for this success recorded is highly appreciated.”
The Customs boss, who also gave insight and update on the Time Release Study (TRS), said: “I have the honour to inform you that irrespective of the challenges observed, the Area Command has not relented on its efforts to ensure that the aim is achieved.
“The TRS as a Customs Process aims to enhance efficiency and effectiveness within customs operations by assessing the time it takes for goods to be released from terminals within the port premises. This will be unveiled with time, yet be assured that there is progress.”
“We continue to express our profound appreciation for the support and clear sense of direction from the Comptroller General of Customs, BA Adeniyi and his management team for their relentless and continuous efforts towards strengthening the capacity of the Service and introducing innovative methods to perform its statutory responsibilities in line with international best practices.
“The Area Command will continue to put in more efforts towards better performance. We are optimistic that with the content of digitalization of all Customs processes and procedures based on the modernisation agenda of the Service, we will achieve more in our responsibilities.
It would be recalled that in January this year, Comptroller Nnadi had declared that the command aimed at collecting N1,130,768,051,851 as revenue for 2024.
Dera also declared that the year would be dedicated to stakeholders
The Customs boss made these assertions during a press briefing earlier in the year in Lagos.
The Comptroller expressed determination of meeting the target set for the command with the cooperation of customs operatives and other stakeholders including importers, freight forwarders, haulage operators, the media and others.
He said the command had been mandated by the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi to engage all stakeholders in line with the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023 and foster a culture of compliance that would lead to enhanced revenue collection and trade facilitation.
Giving a breakdown on how the revenue target would be achieved, Comptroller Nnadi said the command was aiming to generate 4,332,444,643.22 daily collection; 21,662,223,216.16 weekly and 94,230,670,990.11 monthly to meet up with the target.
He said the Command started 2023 with enhanced recovery guidelines, mitigating the risks of non-compliance, achieved automation of its bond seat and revamped the command’s dispute resolution committee.
Comptroller Nnadi added that under his watch, the command had supported moves to decongest port corridors through regular engagement with Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and other stakeholders in the logistics chain of the Lagos port corridor.
On capacity building, Nnadi said the command aligned with the 2023 theme of International Customs Day which was “Nurturing the Next Generation: Promoting a Culture of Knowledge-sharing and Professional Pride in Customs” to evolve a sustainable succession plan for the NCS.
While declaring 2024 as a year of the stakeholders in Tin Can Island Port, Nnadi lauded compliant importers, freight forwarders and their agents for contributing to the revenue collection strides of the command and urged all other port users emulate the virtue of compliance through sincere declaration and prompt duty payment.
He said: “In the area of trade facilitation, the Command continues to provide a conducive environment for trade through continuous engagement and collaboration with relevant stakeholders and regulatory agencies of Government.
“The Command has had several meetings with stakeholders in 2023; meeting with fast track beneficiaries in the Command, addressing their challenges and opportunities for growth.
“Engagements with NPA and Terminal Operators on the need to decongest the port corridors for free flow of import laden containers.
“Collaboration of the command with terminal operators on schedule and modalities on the overtime clearance of cargoes in TCIP.
The shipping lines in TCIP are constantly inundated on the need to guide their NICIS access as the incidence of fraudulent/double transmission of bill ladings has become too prevalent in recent times.
“Regular meetings with compliant and high net worth stakeholders like Crown Flour, Promasidor Nig Ltd, Hurlag Nig ltd, BUA. The Command encourages their businesses and proffer avenues for improvements in areas they need help.”
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