Remarkable feat : Customs at Onne Command hits N55bn revenue collection in 2023 first quarter

Remarkable feat :
Customs at Onne Command hits N55bn revenue collection in 2023 first quarter

The Onne Command of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), has made impressive performance in revenue collection, with a huge sum of N54,992,123,687.15; approximately N55billion raked into the federation account.

Most remarkably, the Command realised the whopping sum from January to March, within the first quarter of 2023, despite slow economic activities in the country due to 2023 general elections.

The Customs Area Controller (CAC) of the Command, Compt
BABA IMAM, disclosed the astronomical revenue profile of N55billion during a press conference at the Command.

Compt BABA IMAM, who assumed office in January this year, has been working assiduously to increase the productivity of the Command; and his operational strategy has yielded positive results.

For instance, the Command was given a target of N336 billion revenue for year 2023; but within just three months, N55 billion revenue has been realised. This translates to 16.3 percent of the target.

More so, the N55 billion revenue when compared to the amount generated within the same period last year, shows an increase of over N1.1billion .

Thus, this revenue profile is realised in spite of not having vessels berth in Onne Port for sometime, following the Election atmosphere.

The CAC said :  “We look forward to continuous rise in revenue generation in the coming months, as we expect vessels to berth on our coastline within the next few weeks.”

Giving details on anti-smuggling activities of Onne formation, the CAC informed :  “Within the past few weeks, since I assumed office, it has been harvest of seizures justifying our committed resolve to facilitating only legitimate trade, in line with the provision of extant laws.

“This is made visible with the display of 27 containers comprising 26 seized Containers and one detained container for violations or contraventions of various customs laws and breach of procedures, as provided under the revised import prohibition guidelines, Schedule 3, Article 4 of the Common External Tariff.”

He went on :  “These seizures and detention were made due to infractions related to import guidelines, which include contraband goods; false; declaration; lack of End-User certificate requirement from the office of the National Security Adviser;
NAFDAC permit /license, among others.

“The seizures include 24 containers laden with vegetable oil, valued at ₦833,172,538.42.  Also seized were two containers laden with 1,165 cartons of Analgin injection and Fireworks with other items; that is (286 cartons of Analgin injection I.M.V) (2/5g/5ml) (due to contravention of revised import prohibition guideline); 216 cartons of Coloured flowers, 180 cartons of Pops), among other items.

“The total duty paid value for the 26 seized containers stands at ₦94,652,168.39.  The seized cartons of Analgin injection were handed over to NAFDAC in the spirit of inter-agency collaboration”.

His words : “We shall continue to build on this robust relationship with other sister agencies to rid the society off criminal elements, who are sabotaging the economy and working against the interest of the Country.”