…Digitizes Ports Operations

By Amaka Obiefuna

Tincan Island Port Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced a revenue generation of five Hundred and Seventy Five Billion, Five Hundred and Five Million, Six Hundred and Twelve Thousand, Eight Hundred and Four Naira and Fifty Nine Kobo only(=N= 575,505,612,804.59). This is an improvement by =N=315, 248,670,683.90 billion and a 221.13% increase from the FY 2023 First Half revenue collection of =N=260,256,942,120.69 Billion.

The Area Controller, Comptroller Dera Nnadi, while briefing newsmen in Lagos said the feat was in line with the statutory functions of the Service in the areas of Revenue Generation, Trade Facilitation and Enforcement/Anti-smuggling activities.

According to him, the Command’s operations were performed in consciousness of the theme of the 2024 International Customs Day, ‘‘Customs Engaging Traditional and New Partners with Purpose.’, with focus on Customs Administrations providing an enabling environment for stakeholders that facilitates and supports businesses and people to recover from the negative effects of the floating exchange rate through collaboration with relevant stakeholders in the supply chain and the use of technology.

The Comptroller maintained that the Command within the period under review further enhanced the existing operational process to conform to the malady of the floating exchange rate regime with the use of technology made available by the NICIS II Software. Such facilities as the ‘846’ Non Standard VIN valuation application, Pre-Arrival Assessment Report (PAAR), Advance Manifest and Selectivity engine enabled a more efficient risk management process mitigating delays in cargo clearance, facilitating legitimate trade and ensuring the collection of appropriate duties and taxes.

Nnadi confirmed that the Command under his watch recorded some feats in areas of enforcement and anti-smuggling activities. “The command’s enforcement and anti-smuggling unit has not been relenting in its efforts to combat smuggling and all forms of criminality. Customs, being the lead agency at the Ports through its enforcement unit has coordinated a 100% physical examination under my supervision in collaboration with critical stakeholders to ensure that the command is freed of any form of non-compliance to the international trade cycle.

“The following items were discovered as concealment and seized during the period under review: One (1) RZ17HD – 20P9964 – Rifle; One (1) RZ17HD – 20P9962 – Rifle; One (1) GAMO – T660739 – Rifle; One (1) PUMP ACTION – MV0830249 – Rifle; One (1) RZ17TACTICAL – 30H21PT011992 – Rifle; One (1) RZ17HD – 20P9929 – Rifle; One (1) PUMP ACTION – MV0830253 – Rifle; One (1) PUMP ACTION – MV0830839 – Rifle; One (1) RZ17HD – 20P10115 – Rifle; One (1) PUMP ACTION – V1690019 – Rifle; One (1) PUMP ACTION – 52-H21PT – 3803 – Rifle; One (1) RZ17HD – 20P9951 – Rifle; One (1) SAR9 SARSILMARZ T1102-21BV63826 – Pistol; One (1) RUGER AMERICAN PISTOL 9MM – Pistol; One (1) SAR9 SARSILMARZ T1102-21BU51078 – Pistol;

“Others are One (1) TAURUS G3C – BAIN BRIDGE, GA ADA 799424 – Pistol; One (1) TAURUS G3C – BAIN BRIDGE, GA ADC 122309 – Pistol; One (1) TAURUS G3C – BAIN BRIDGE, GA ADB 941276 – Pistol; One (1) used Toyota Corolla Chassis Number: 5YFBURH1EP09601: 2014 model; Sterling High Quality shot gun cartridges green (12 cal 32 grams – 10 packs of 25 pieces each); Sterling High Quality shot gun cartridges green (12 cal 30 grams – 20 packs of 25 pieces each and 23 extra pieces); Seller & Bellot  Buck Shot – 55 pieces; Crossman Co2 12 gram cartridges – 123 pieces; 1 USP CO2 Air Gun Pistol with Accessories Cal. 117 (4.5mm) BB;

“Units of Mace Pepper Gun, to Department of State Services (DSS) for further Agency function; and three plastic drums concealing several packets of Cannabis Indica, forty six bags containing two thousand one hundred and forty -four packets of Cannabis Indica- all weighing one thousand and seventy two kilograms (1,072kg) seized from 01x40ft Container No. GAOU 669921/5 imported from Canada. The approximate street value of the illicit substances is N3, 216,000,000.00 (Three Billion Two Hundred Sixteen Million Naira Only).

“Also 877 cartons of Barcadin cough syrup with codeine- 200 bottles of 100ml per carton and 82 cartons of Really Extra Diclofenac Sodium 50mg tablets – 600 packs per carton imported from India was seized. The approximate street value of the cough syrup is N964, 339,348.00 (Nine Hundred and Sixty Four Million, Three Hundred and Thirty Nine Thousand, Three Hundred and Forty Eight Naira Only)”

In area of export, he said the total FOB value of NXP for commercial goods exported through Tincan Island Ports in the same period under review is One Trillion, Thirty Two Billion, Six  Hundred  and  One  Million, Forty-Four-Thousand, Seven Hundred and Seventy –Four Naira Only ( =N=1, 032,601,044,744.00) and a total volume of 489,594.50 Metric Tons (MT) as against export value of 1ST half 2023 of One Hundred and Eighty-Two Billion, Three Hundred and Thirty Three Million, Seven Hundred and Sixty Four Thousand, Nine Hundred and Forty-Three  Thousand Naira Only (=N=182,333,764,943.00), with a total volume of 291,436.00 Metric Tons (MT). In terms of value, Soya beans was the highest export commodity worth =N= 92,059,078,980.00 while self adhesive was the lowest export commodity with a value of =N=17,560,865.00.

He pledged to collaborate with stakeholders in the Maritime industry like the Shipping companies/lines, on modalities to automate communication channels to reduce fraudulent manifest transmission, recycled bills of lading and other channels that could lead to revenue loss.

Terminal Operators and Barge Operators were also engaged on best way to reforms and standardized transire management and seamless movement of cargo in the trade cycle.

“We had guests from Ministry of Environment who came to enlighten us that the ban of Wood and Charcoal has been lifted. More so, in the area of Trade Facilitation, the Command made available facilities for resolving disputes and addressing legitimate complaints of stakeholders as it relates to the customs clearance process via the Dispute Resolution Committee and the Helpdesk”

Expressing optimism for better performance rating, he added that the engagements were strategic and significant in assisting the Command to maintain a balance between facilitating legitimate trade and collecting appropriate taxes on behalf of Government.

“In the meantime, the port access and terminal access roads are undergoing construction works and further decongestion, the Command has continued to facilitate the use of Barge as an alternative means of transport for the movement of custom cargo in line with international best practices, helping to maintain business and flow in the customs clearance process.

“The implementation of the e-Customs project and the installation of smart technology at the ports will be a turning point in the digitalization of customs processes and procedures and will significantly boost the Command’s capacity to enforce compliance and generate revenue in line with international best practices” he added.