Oyo/Osun Customs Command: Oramalugo Gives First Press Briefing
Oyo/Osun Customs Command: Oramalugo Gives First Press Briefing
By Ebenezer William
Area Controller of Oyo/Osun Command of the Nigeria Customs, Comptroller Ben Oramalugo on Friday 10 November gave his maiden address to the press at the Area Headquarters In Ibadan.
In his detailed delivery, Oramalugo touched on several areas that affect the economy and the operation of Nigeria Customs.
The Address:
I wish to welcome the gentlemen of the press to the first press briefing since my assumption of duty as the Customs Area Controller in charge of the Oyo/ Osun Area Command.
It is with great pleasure, that that I wish to announce the milestones achieved by the Oyo/ Osun area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service since my assumption of duty on 18th September 2023. Under my distinguished leadership, several laudable achievements have been accomplished and aimed at enhancing trade facilitation, revenue generation and suppression of smuggled/prohibited items within the Command’s Area of Responsibility (AoR).
The Oyo/Osun Area Command has a mandate of revenue collection from various Excise factories and the suppression of smuggling within our Area of Responsibility. Since my assumption of office which is exactly Seven (7) weeks and Four (4) days, we have invited you here to showcase some of our achievements in line with the Commands mandate.
At this juncture, we wish to express our gratitude to the Comptroller General of Customs (CGC) BA Adeniyi MFR DSM for psc (+) who in his efforts to ensure the realization of the Command’s mandate in the area of suppression of smuggling has made provisions for operational vehicles to the Command and leveraging on the inspiration and support received we hope to improve our performance subsequent months ahead. The scorecard of the Command is as follows:-
REVENUE:
During the period covering September to October 2023, the Command through its rigorous enforcement measures and strategic initiatives has contributed to the economic growth of the Nation by collecting the Sum of ₦11,679,732,583.91k (Eleven Billion, Six Hundred and Seventy-Nine Million, Seven Hundred and Thirty-Two Thousand, Five Hundred and Eighty-Three Naira, Ninety-One Kobo) as revenue into the coffers of the Federal Government. When added to the revenue collected for the period covering January to August 2023, the Command has collected a Sum of ₦59,087,983,670.64k (Fifty Nine Billion, and Eighty-Seven Million, Nine Hundred and Eighty-Three Thousand, Six Hundred and Seventy Naira, Sixty Four Kobo).
This feat is made possible by our resolve to continue to prioritize trade facilitation, religiously enforce provisions of our extant laws aimed at facilitating legitimate trade, implement various measures to simplify Customs processes and reduce bureaucracy within the system to promote legitimate trade and foster a conducive business environment for Excise traders operating within the Command’s Area of Responsibility.
ANTI-SMUGGLING OPERATIONS:
During the period under review, the Command with the use of intelligence and continuous patrol/enforcement operations has made a series of interceptions comprising of:
S/N
COMMODITY SEIZED
QUANTITY
DUTY PAID VALUE (₦)
Rice
1,248 (50kg) Bags
27,456,000.00
P.M.S.
425 (25 Litres) Kegs
2,125,000.00
Used Clothing and Used Bags
24 Bales of used Clothing
1 Used Bag
4,320,000.00
180,000.00
Used Tyres
492 pieces
2,952,000.00
Cannabis Sativa
64 Sacks and 150 Wraps
(Weighing 777.5kg)
14,138,460.00
Arms
One (01) DANE Gun
9,000.00
TOTAL
51,180,460.00
COLLABORATION AND STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT:
It is important to note that the Command recognizes the importance of collaboration and inter-agency cooperation which fosters strong partnerships with relevant Federal Government Agencies, Trade Associations and the General Public. Necessary consultations and engagements have been held to address unconcerned and ensure a harmonized approach to Customs operations. Given the aforementioned, it is important to note that the Command intercepted sixty-four (64) Sacks and One Hundred and Fifty (150) compressed Cannabis Sativa (Indian hemp) from various axes within the Command’s Area of Responsibility.
The said illegal substance weighing a total of 777.5kg would be handed over to the NDLEA today Friday 10th November 2023. Permit me to also state that the achievements showcased here today were made possible through the timely sharing of credible intelligence and effective collaboration/synergy between all Units of Nigeria Customs Service residents between Oyo and Osun States. (Federal Operations Unit, Border Drill)
We would also like to mention that the collaborative efforts of the Sister Agencies such as the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Air Force, Nigerian Police Force, Department of State Security, NDLEA, and Oyo State Operation Burst are all appreciated. Furthermore, we would also like to appreciate and acknowledge the cooperation of various Traditional rulers and Community leaders who have continued to enlighten their respective Communities of the ills of Smuggling.
Our appreciation also goes to the Governments of Oyo and Osun States for providing an enabling environment for the Command’s Officers and Men to perform their statutory functions while assuring our compliant stakeholders with legitimate businesses within the Command’s Area of Responsibility of our maximum cooperation.
We would also like to sound a note of warning to individuals with nefarious intentions aimed at sabotaging the economic development of our great nation Nigeria to stay steer clear of the Command’s coverage area, as all available resources by all Extant laws as enshrined in the new Nigeria Customs Service Act of 2023 would be deployed not only to frustrate them but ensure such economic saboteurs are brought to justice. Furthermore, we solicit the assistance of well-meaning Nigerians and members of the general public to provide useful information which can be used to apprehend economic saboteurs within their environment, to the Area Command to improve the Command’s service delivery, rid our society of all economic saboteurs and to safeguard our great country Nigeria.
Finally, we would like to express our profound gratitude to all media representatives for their continued support and assure them of the Command’s commitment towards effective communication and transparency, as the vital role of the media is to disseminate accurate information to the public and the understanding of Customs Service
activities/operations can never be undermined.
I wish you all journey mercies back to your respective destinations. Thank you all for listening and God Bless.
