Unprecedented : Customs in Katsina State facilitates 5,000 metric tons of exports

Unprecedented :  Customs in Katsina State facilitates 5,000 metric tons of exports

* 4,000 metric tons of LPG

* 1,000 metric tons of cement

* Rakes over N104.7million into federation account

The Katsina State Command of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), has made the Service management and entire Nigerian nation proud of its
giant strides on export trade facilitation and revenue generation for economic growth.

Katsina Command under the watch of Compt Chedi Wada, as the Customs Area Controller (CAC), made unprecedented performance in export trade facilitation worth millions of Naira from May 1, 2022 to June 15, 2022, about six weeks.

The volume of exports facilitated by Compt Wada through Jibia border within this short period include 4,000 metric tons of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), worth N998,205,392.04. 1,000 metric tons of cement, worth N32,292,830.00.

In line with government procedures, the Nigeria Export Supervision Scheme (NESS), fees for the exported items attracted N5,027,592.44 for LPG and N183,942.77 for the cement, making total NESS fees of N5,211,535.21

Those were not all.
Compt Wada, who is highly skilled in Customs operations generated over N104.7million that was paid into the federation account within the same period under review.

He also made remarkable performance in anti-smuggling operations with seizures worth over N38.6million in Duty Paid Value (DPV) in the same period.

Addressing Journalists in Katsina State during a press conference, Compt Wada, known for his doggedness in tackling smuggling displayed seizures of vehicles, which include Nissan Jeep valued at N1,755,000.00 (approximately N1.8million); GOLF – 3 worth N1.6million; Toyota Carina with DPV of N742,500.00 and another Toyota Carina worth N675,000.00.

Others were Peugeot 504 worth N270,000.00; used Toyota Carina valued at N607,500.00; used J5 bus with registration number RMY122XA valued at N1,485,000.00 (approximately N1.5million), making a total of N7.2million for vehicles.

In the same vein, the CAC and his gallant officers intercepted other items, which include 30 bales of second-hand clothes worth N3.6million; 18 gas cylinders valued at N340,200.00; 715 bags of foreign rice (50kg each) worth N18.876.000.00 (approximately N18.9millon); six bags of rice (25kg each) worth N79,200.00 and 400 cartons of foreign spaghetti worth N2.4million.

Other seizures include 43 cartons of foreign macaroni valued at N258.000.00; 13 jerrycans of vegetables oil worth N386,100.00; 79 jerrycans of AGO (25litres each) worth N1.3million; 75 jerrycans of Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, commonly known as petrol valued at N350,625.00; 57 cartons of foreign milk worth N1.1million; eight motorcycles; palm oil; cola-nuts and other items with DPV of over N31.4 million . The total DPV for vehicles and other seized items amounted to N38.575,887.00, approximately N38.6million, as stated above.

Speaking further, Compt Wada stressed that with the re-opening of Jibia border, the Command is expected to discharge its statutory obligations, which include control of import and export through the border with strict adherence to Customs procedures in revenue collection, as well as other regulations.

His words :
“Going by the Command’s previous anti-smuggling records, this period has a decline in the number of seizures. This is due to re-opening of Jibia border, providing opportunity to conduct import and export legitimately against smuggling through illegal routes. Re-strategised operations on anti-smuggling activities by constant patrols, surveillance, intelligence gathering and dissemination accordingly.

“The Command maintained cooperation and synergy with other government security agencies at the border communities.”

Compt Wada warned smugglers to desist from economic sabotage and embrace legitimate trade, as his Command will leave no stone unturned in seizing prohibited items and ensuring that illicit traders are prosecuted according to the laws of the land.