Customs at KLT Command : Comptroller Swomen makes outstanding performance

• Hits N7.9 bn revenue collection
• Seizes container of expired water, contraband worth N55.7m

(Report by Udeme Clement):

The Customs Area Controller (CAC), of Kirikiri Lighter Terminal, (KLT) Command,
Comptroller Hammi Swomen and his officers’ have made outstanding performance in revenue collection for the Federal Government and anti-smuggling drive in the first quarter of 2021.

The officers through hard work and resilience generated a whopping sum of over N7.9 billion as Customs duty and other charges from January to March 2021.

Briefing Journalists on activities of the Command, yesterday, Comptroller Swomen, asserted ; “The sum of N7.9 billion realised in first quarter of 2021 surpassed N5.8 billion collected the same period in 2020 fiscal year.”

He pointed out; “This figure represents 36.8 percent increase in duty collected, when compared to revenue generated in the first quarter of last year.

“The Command generated N3,373,001,357.00 billion, (approximately N3.4billion) in the month of March 2021, being the first time in the history of KLT Command, that over N3.4billion is generated in one month.”

On anti-smuggling operations, the Command made seizures of Five (5) containers worth over N55.7 million in Duty Paid Value (DPV).
The items seized include ;
2,655 pieces of used tyres, concealed with two vehicles; one used Toyota Carina E 2000 model & one Mazda 323 2004 model), all with DPV of N21,589,521million (approximately N21.6million).
2,772 kegs of Vegetable oil with DPV of N28,656,879 million, (approximately N28.7million).
16,920 bottles of expired water – Augus-Towanka Table water, with DPV of N5,493,033 million, (approximately N5.5million).

Speaking further, Comptroller Swomen, explained; “Schedule 3 item No 14, 4 and 11 of the Ecowas Common External Tariff (CET) 2017-2021 Import prohibition list (Trade) PROHOBITS importation of these products, that is why they are seized”.

In the same vein, Comptroller Swomen said that his Command maintains a cordial working synergy with other sister agencies, adding that NAFDAC and other relevant agencies jointly carried out thorough examination of the seized items.

His words: “I assumed duty at KLT Command on December 8, 2020. I held a meeting with stakeholders, where we discussed and mapped out strategies to ensure integrity, transparency, thorough cargo examination, more revenue collection, trade facilitation and efficiency in all areas of our operations. We will continue to remain focused in performing our duties. We thank the Comptroller-General of Customs – CGC Hameed Ali and his management team for their support.”

He informed: “NAFDAC has taken sample of the water for laboratory test. This is very important because people are so desperate now and can even package hard drugs in liquid form.”

OBSERVATION AT THE SCENE :
Our Correspondent observed that the seized water fully loaded in 40ft container had expired since March 16, 2021, with the expiring date boldly written on each bottle, yet the water was imported to Nigeria, to the detriment of unsuspecting consumers in the country.

With swift interception of 16,920 bottles of expired water by Comptroller Swomen and his team, these Customs officers averted what would have been a major health disaster for Nigerians, if the contaminated water had entered the local market unchecked.

It was also observed that though the bottle looks attractive on the outside, the expired water did not appear really pure when placed side-by-side with locally made water brought from the Command.

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