Exponential growth : TinCan Customs hits 251,679.89 metric tons of export with FOB value of N287.7bn

Exponential growth : TinCan Customs hits 251,679.89 metric tons of export with FOB value of N287.7bn
…As Compt Nnadi records 139% revenue surplus in 2024 first quarter

The TinCan Island Port Command of Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, has recorded exponential growth in exports, as the Command facilitated 251,679.89 metric tons of export trade in the first quarter of 2024.

The statistics provided by the Public Relations Officer, PRO, SC, N. N. Okwara, revealed that the tonnage of goods exported through TinCan port increased from 145,906.33 metric tons in 2023, to 251,679.89 metric tons in 2024 first quarter.

Impressively, this growth in export trade
represents an increase of 95.3%. Also, there is over 300% increase in FOB value of exports from N80.9billion in 2023 to N287.7billion in 2024 first quarter.

Exports from the Command include essentially agricultural and other allied products, namely; Coca-Butter, Cocoa Beans, Cashew Nuts, among others.

In revenue collection, TinCan Port has excellent records to show, as the Customs Area Controller, Compt Dera Nnadi mni, surpassed first quarter revenue target for 2024 by 139%, with a difference of N177billion, when compared to the same period of the year 2023.

Addressing members of his management team, particularly Deputy and Assistant Comptrollers, as well as Unit Heads, on April 15, 2024, during a brief meeting, he applauded them for their dedication.

His words : “I sincerely commend Officers & Men of the Command for embracing service delivery for our stakeholders and teamwork, which resulted to the Command surpassing its first quarter revenue target for 2024 by 139%.

“The efforts put in place by all Units in the Area Command for this success recorded are highly appreciated”.

Also, during the meeting, the Area Controller discussed challenges, modalities and new strategies needed to meet the revenue target for the month of April and months ahead despite series of holidays”.

The CAC reminded officers that stakeholders should be held in high esteem and treated with respect, but with due diligence to identify compliant and non-compliant traders.

More so, the Command recorded a total collection of N303.9billion in the first quarter of 2024, which is higher than N126.8billion recorded the same period in 2023.

The breakdown of revenue collection shows that in January 2024, the Command generated N88.4billion, indicating 107.9% upscale, compared to N42.5billion realised in January 2023. In February 2024, the Command generated N100.4billion, which is 141.8% higher than the value collected the same period in 2023, which was N41.5billion.

In March 2024, the Command recorded N115.1billion, as against N42.8billion collected in March 2023; this is 163.9% increase.

Anti-smuggling feat :
The Area Controller pointed out ; “The Command’s Anti-Smuggling Unit has not relented in its effort to combat snuggling and all forms of criminalities. Customs being the lead Agency at the Ports through its Enforcement Unit has coordinated several 100% physical examinations under my supervision in collaboration with Critical Stakeholders to ensure that the Command is freed of any form of non-compliance in line with International trade cycle.

“Seizures include packets of Heroine weighing 56.390kg with a street value of (N902, 240,000.00); 3612 packets of Colorado Indica weighing 956.772kg with a street value of (N4,055,400,000.00). All the seized illicit drugs had been handed over to the relevant sister agencies as directed by the service”

Stakeholders Engagement :
The Area Command has in the past few months hosted different sections of stakeholders’ meetings. These include Shipping Companies; Terminal Operators; Freight Forwarders and Security Agencies; physically and virtually, on modalities to automate communication channels to minimize revenue losses and boost rules of engagement.

On Time Release Studies, TRS, Compt Nnadi said : “I have the honour to inform you that irrespective of the challenges observed, the Command has not relented on its efforts to ensure that the aim is achieved. The TRS as a Customs Process aims to enhance efficiency and effectiveness within Customs Operations by assessing the time it takes for goods to be released from terminals within the port premises. This will be unveiled with time, yet be assured that there is progress.”

The Action CAC enthused : “We continue to express our profound appreciation for the support and clear sense of direction from the Comptroller General of Customs, BA Adeniyi MFR and his management team for their relentless and continuous efforts towards strengthening the capacity of the Service and introducing innovative methods to perform its statutory responsibilities in line with international best practice”.

Going forward, Compt Nnadi remains optimistic in meeting the alloted revenue target of over N1trillion given to his Command in 2024.