The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Area II Command, Onne Port, Rivers State has generated a total revenue of one hundred and seven billion, three hundred and thirty-six million, one hundred and forty–two thousand, eight hundred and thirty-three naira, fifty-nine kobo (₦107,336,142,823.59) from duty paid on imported goods in 2019. This surpasses the annual target of ₦95,711,502,149.33 for last year by ₦11,642,640,674.26 which represents 112 percent of the target.

The Customs Area Command of the Command, Comptroller Aliyu Galadima Saidu said that a total of 24 seizures with Duty Paid Value (DPV) of one billion, two hundred and seventy-eight million, seven hundred and eight thousand and eleven naira (₦1,278,708,011.00), were also recorded in the area of anti-smuggling.

The seizures include 99 containers comprising vegetable oil, detergents, bags of foreign rice, scraps metals, corrugated aluminum sheets, furniture, tin tomatoes (tomato paste), insect repellant/killer, bales of fabrics and wax materials.

The seizures were made due to wrong documentation, false declarations, wrong classifications, concealments and non provision of end user certificates for the imported machetes.

Preliminary investigations carried out by the Service revealed that the primary motive for the items being smuggled was to evade paying the correct duties.

On export, a total of 255,407 metric tonnes of goods with a total Free On Board (FOB) value of $78,402,057 which is equivalent to ₦28,420,745,662.5 @ ₦362.5 per dollar was processed through the area last year.

Also, in comparing the revenue generated between year 2018 and year 2019; the total sum of N94,044,676,428.01 was realized in Year 2018. This shows 14% increase in revenue generated in year 2019 as against year 2018.

Comptroller Saidu, who frowned at the continued menace of smuggling across the ports and borders, also lamented on the detrimental effect it has on the nation’s security, social and economic well being.

He advised those involved in such unpatriotic behavior to desist from it, and warned that the command will not spare anyone as efforts will be intensified in locating and investigating the economic saboteurs, no matter how they hide.

He also urged genuine business men to continue being law abiding and run their businesses with utmost compliance with the law as a way to build trust and integrity in their dealings.

Saidu also expressed appreciation to the Comptroller–General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali (Rtd.) and his management team for their consistent encouragement and support; while reassuring continued resilience and diligence of officers and men of the Command in carrying out all statutory responsibilities without compromise.

He extends a hands of fellowship to stakeholders including sister agencies, the business community and other organizations, thanking them for their support and cooperation with the command, while commending the resilience and diligence of all the officers last year. He also urged that the effort be sustained and improved upon.

He equally thanked members of the press for their continued partnership with the command, and assured of an open door policy for conveying information to the public.

Saidu said, “2019 has come and gone. I want to commend you all for your effort in revenue collection, trade facilitation and anti-smuggling. We can do better than we did last year by staying more vigilant against smuggling, duty evasion, concealment, under declaration and other unlawful acts.”

“Those involved in trade related malpractices will be looking for ways to beat the system, but we have deployed our trainings to productivity through diligent profiling, uncompromising examination, improved trade facilitation, strategized intelligence and tact exhibition for this year 2020 and beyond.”

Breakdown of seizures made in 2019:

1. 15,317 jerry-cans of 25-litres of vegetable oil, with DPV of ₦110,211,278.00

2. 20 x 20 ft containers loaded with tin-tomatoes paste with DPV of ₦272,261,026.00

3. 13,306 cartons of Eva complexion soap (detergent) with DPV of ₦125,966,675.00

4. 1 x 20 ft container comprising 715 bales of fabric/textile (wax materials) with DPV of N25,433,278.46

5. One(1) x 40 ft container loaded with scrap metal of various sizes and types worth ₦5,386,979.00

6. 4 x 20 ft container loaded with 160 logs of hardwood with DPV of ₦19,342,838.00

7. I x 40 ft container loaded with 1,014 cartons of machetes, 1300 sacks of shovel, 100 carton of sickle, 172 packs of digger with DPV of ₦52,463,008.00

8. 4,566 bags of 50 kg parboiled rice worth ₦57,471,308.61

9. 540 bundles of corrugated Aluminum sheets with DPV of ₦561,753,188.00 and others.