Again : Customs in Katsina State makes giant strides

Again :  Customs in Katsina State makes giant strides

… Boosts federation account with over Nl79.2million

The Katsina Customs Command of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), has again made giant strides in anti-smuggling operations, revenue collection and trade facilitation for optimum economic growth.

The Command made impressive performance in revenue collection, with over Nl79.2million raked into the federation account in November, 2022.

This Nl79.2million collected within a short period shows an increase of N58million from N121.8million collected in October 2022, representing 47 percent increase in revenue collection.

That was not all. The operatives of Katsina Command through hard work and doggedness curtailed illicit trade within the border communities, even as they swiftly intercepted prohibited items smuggled into the country illegally by economic saboteurs.

Addressing Journalists during a press conference in Katsina State, the Customs Area Controller (CAC), Compt Wada Chedi, unveiled seizures worth millions of Naira, recorded in just one month.

The seizures include 239 bags of
foreign Rice (50kg each) worth N7,098,300.00; two bags of foreign rice (25kg each) worth 30,800.00; 821 cartons of foreign Spaghetti valued at
N4,926,000.00; 20 cartons of foreign Macaroni with DPV of N120,000.00; 11 cartons of foreign Couscous valued at N66,000.00; Exhaust Fiber Catalyst – 973kg, worth N74,921,000.00;
12 bags of Tiger Nuts (100kg each) valued at N360,O00.00;
25 bales of Second Hand Clothes worth N1,500,000.00;
13 bags of China Green Tea worth N214,500.00; 65 jerrycans of
Premium Motor Spirit (25Itrs each) worth N394,938.00; 70 gas cylinders (50kg each), worth N5,390,000.00;
two gas cylinders (25kg each) worth N77’000.00; seven sacks of Children wears valued at N252,000.00.

In the same vein, the Command seized many vehicles currently under detentions. These include
one used LEXUS 470 JEEP (SUV), worth N7,425,000.00; one used TOYOTA CARINA worth N405,000.00;
one used PEUGEOT 504 worth N270,000.00; one used HONDA ACCORD with DPV of N2,025,000.00;
one used PEUGEOT 206 worth N270,000.00; used TOYOTA CARINA worth 405,000.00; one used J5 IVECO BUS worth N1,755,000.00; used
TOYOTA COROLLA valued at
N3,240,000.00, one used BMW worth
N4,050,000.00; one GOLF WAGOON worth N2’025,000.00; another used Golf worth N2,025,000.00;
making a total of N119,245,538.00 million.

Speaking further, the CAC revealed that four suspects were arrested
and granted aclministrative bail pending the conclusion of
investigations. He attributed
the successes recorded in the period under review to resilience and commitment of Officers and men of the Command, working with an effective synergy that is existing among Sister Sacurity Agents, who have shown exceptional professionalism in discharging their duties in line with the extant laws.

His words :  “May I once again call upon the good people of Katsina State and the business communities to take advantage of the reopened Jibia
Border to conduct their trans-border business and also remind us
that the remaining borders are still closed. Passing, or attempting
to pass goods there is illegal due to substantive Federal Government policy on border closure.

“As we step down to the end of this year, the Command will continue
to draw on robust intelligence-gathering strategy on Border
Security and ensuring a conducive environment for legitimate business
transactions, as well as enhancing our anti-smuggling capabilities, in
order to intercept smuggled items that pose a threat to both the economy and security of the Country.

“Finally, we extend our thanks to the magnanimity of the Comptroller General of Customs in the person of CGC Hameed Ibrahim Ali and his management team for providing
the necessary work tools that are enhancing productivity and successes
in our operations.”

OBSERVATION :
Our correspondent observed that 2022 economic year has been a period of exceptional performance, total dedication to duties and spectacular achievements for Katsina Command, as Compt Wada and his team demonstrated unwavering loyalty to the Customs Service and the Nigerian nation at large. Most, remarkably, Compt Wada maintained his records of monthly press briefing from January to December 2022.