News
Seme Customs Collects N3b Revenue, Surpasses N1.9b 2023 Target
...Achieves N326m Seizures in 2 Months
Ahead of the close of 2023,the Seme Command of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has collected N3,050,100,912.28 as at mid November thereby surpassing its N1,966,000,000 by N1,084,100,912.28 which represents a 55.1℅ increase
Comptroller Timi Bomodi, Customs Area Controller of the command ,who disclosed this to journalists on Tuesday attributed the feat to blocking of revenue leakages and intense anti smuggling strategies he deployed since assumption of duty at the border on September 18, 2023.
The command has also made notable seizures of prohibited items in its anti smuggling drive in the last two months amounting to N326,272,794
Comptroller Bomodi who, upon assumption of office,promised to encourage compliant traders and deepen the existing customs community relationship added that for export under him,a total of 41,867.88 Metric Tons of goods were processed.
He added that 1,048 trucks carrying export items were processed amounting to N8,299,767,340.57 free on board (FOB)
The Nigeria Export Supervision Scheme (NESS) paid was N41,531,580
The surcharge paid for the period under review was N41,531,580.00
On border reopening, he reiterated his promise to encourage compliant traders and the host communities along the corridor bearing in mind the challenges of the joint border post as one that is still adjusting to the reality of the border closure and that talks are ongoing at the highest level to regularize the situation.
Bomodi gave a breakdown of the 168 seizures made in the last two months including prohibited wild life, cars, premium motor spirit, illicit drugs and other items
“The successes recorded could be attributed to strategies adopted by the leadership of the command to checkmate revenue loopholes, in partnership with our stakeholders to ensure compliance.
“In the area of anti-smuggling operations, you are already conversant with our past headline seizures of one hundred and Sixty-Eight (168) live Parrot birds and a Hawk which are prohibited under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) which Nigeria is a signatory. This is in addition to other notable seizures recorded between September and October 2023 are listed below:
Three Thousand, Eight Hundred and Five (3,805) 50kg bags of rice about Seven (7) trailer loads of foreign parboiled rice.
One Thousand, seven Hundred and Fifty- Six (1,756) Jerrycans of Premium Motor Spirit equivalent to 52, 680 liters about 2 petroleum tankers.1,379 of General Merchandise Goods.
Hard Drugs and Narcotics (40 parcels of Cannabis Sativa);2 used vehicles;3 live porcupines
“Six suspects were arrested in connection with the seizures.The seized Cannabis sativa and suspects will be handed over to NDLEA for further investigation.
“The duty paid value for items seized is Three hundred and Twenty-Six Million, Two Hundred and Seventy- Two Thousand, Seven Hundred and Ninety- four Naira (326, 272, 794. 00) only.
“Let me appreciate the Comptroller General of Customs for his support to the Command and also appreciate the Seme Badagry Community for their cooperation and to officers and men of the Command for their gallantry and patriotism. Our greatest appreciation goes to the media for highlighting our modest effort in Seme Area Command” he said
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