Exponential growth : Customs at TinCan Command facilitates 291,436.43 metric tons of exports

Exponential growth :
Customs at TinCan Command facilitates 291,436.43 metric tons of exports

…Rakes in N182.3bn revenue from export trade

The Nigeria Customs Service, TinCan Island Port Command, has made giant stride in trade facilitation, as the Command recorded 291,436.43 Metric Tons (MT) of exports, with Free On Board (FOB) value of N182.3billion.

The Customs Area Controller (CAC) of TinCan Island Command, Compt Adekunle Oloyede and his team made this impressive performance in non-oil export revenue collection, from January to June 2023.

In a statement released by the Command Public Relations Officer (CPRO), NGOZI OKWARA, the CAC informed : “In terms of volume (MT) and value (FOB), the export trade recorded exponential growth within the period under review”.

Giving comparative analysis in figures, Compt Oloyede said :
“From January to June 2023, the tonnage of goods exported through TinCan Island Port Complex increased from 138,246.5 (MT) to 291,436.43 (MT); representing an increase of 110.8 percent over the previous year under review.

“Similarly, there was increase in the FOB value of exports from N110,447,250,811 billion in first half of 2022 to N182,333,764,943billion in the same period in 2023, representing an increase of 65 percent in export revenue generation.”

He added : “Increase in commodities exported from the Command essentially includes agricultural and other allied products namely, Cocoa Butter; Cocoa Beans; Cashew Nut; Sesame Seeds; Rubber; Empty bottles and copper ingots.”

The Area Controller explained : “Within the period under review, the Command participated in several programmes to incentivise non-oil export. For instance, the Command participated in the CBN RT200fx, where a lot of benefits to export trade were highlighted.”

On revenue collection within the period under review, Compt Oloyede pointed out : “The Command recorded a total collection of N260,256,942,120.69 billion (approximately N260.3billion)
in first half of the year.

“The first half collection in 2023 runs at a variation with the first half of 2022 with a total collection of N274.3billion, with a difference of N14billion”.

The CAC continued :  “The monthly breakdown of revenue generation within the period under review shows the following;
N42,536,336,038.11billion was realised in the month of January 2023; N41,518,738,649.09billion in February; N42,803,114,544.11billion in March; N36,511,681,057.09billion in April; N46,485,639,728.79billion in May and N50,401,432,103.50billion in June.”

His assertion :  “It is imperative and worthy of note to mention the critical roles played by Customs Intelligence Unit, the Valuation Unit, Customs Police Unit and Post Clearance Audit for their sustained interventions, which translated to the blockage of revenue leakages by enhanced compliance towards attainment of the revenue drive.”

On the Command’s enforcement drive, Compt Oloyede stated : “TinCan Island Command Anti-smuggling drive yielded remarkable successes in the first half of 2023. Being the lead agency at the Port, the Enforcement Unit coordinated several anti-smuggling activities in synergy with other critical stakeholders in the trade value chain.

“The synergy led to seizure of 1442 Packets of Colorado Indica with combined weight of 519.45kg extracted during 100% joint physical examination of eight (8) containers.
The total street value according to NDLEA sources is N721,000,000.00.
The means of conveyance, the substance and two suspects were handed over to NDLEA in strict compliance with the Service Headquarters’ directive.

“The Command has zero tolerance for importation of unwholesome goods such as drugs, arms and ammunition. The mandate from the Service, as well as protection of the Nigerian Society is the driving force.

“We have continually put in proactive measures aimed at keeping our frontiers free from illicit and illegitimate trade”.

More so, the Area Controller heartily congratulated the Service for a smooth transition, which occurred recently and sincerely appreciated the Comptroller-General of Customs, CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR,
and his management team for all the supports the Command has been enjoying from the Headquarters