Onne Customs Posts Impressive N249bn Revenue Figure Within Six Month
Onne Customs Posts Impressive N249bn Revenue Figure Within Six Month
By Okezie Nnadi
The Nigeria Customs Service, Area 2 Command in Onne has achieved remarkable milestones in revenue generation and anti-smuggling efforts.
Comptroller Mohammed Babandede stated this on Friday ,21 June,2024 in One Port Harcourt ,Rivers State while addressing the press, on the activities of his command in recent times
Comptroller Babanded highlighted the huge successes which the command under his watch has achieved since he took over in April ,2024.
He informed that the Command surpassed expectations by generating ₦249.75 billion, representing 50.4% of the initial annual target of ₦494 billion.
This figure also accounts for 40.3% of the revised target of ₦618 billion.
He said despite challenges such as the NLC strike, Democracy Day, and Sallah holiday, the Command generated ₦43.43 billion in June 2024 alone.
Comptroller Babandede expressed optimism about surpassing the annual target by year-end.
On anti-Smuggling , Comptroller Babanded noted that the Command seized six containers for violations of customs laws and breach of procedures.
These containers contained items such as clothing, electronics, and pharmaceuticals.
Additionally, a container of hazardous e-waste was intercepted.
The total Duty Paid Value of the seized containers stands at ₦3.19 billion.
He said the Command would collaborate with the National Environmental Standards and Regulation Enforcement Agency (NESREA) for proper disposal.
“Let me state here that the above seizures were made purely from intelligence gathered and information sharing with sister agency alongside 100% physical examination. I want to also use this opportunity to thank the NDLEA for their collaboration and inter-agency cooperation as seizures of this magnitude could not have been possible without their involvement” Compt.Bananded said .
He said investigation is still ongoing through the Command’s Legal/Intelligent Unit to arrest the culprits and bring them to book as soon as possible.
He said the seized containers are currently in Government and would be filed for condemnation at the federal High Court, Port Harcourt and shall subsequently be forfeited to the Federal Government.
He said the Command would continue to address its core responsibilities by employing various risk management strategies aimed at collecting revenue, identifying vulnerable leakages, gathering intelligence and facilitating trade.
” We cannot but underscore the necessity and imperativeness of leveraging on synergy, collaboration and intelligence sharing with sister agencies and stakeholders as it enhances our revenue drive and anti-smuggling feats. “These deliberate and concerted efforts will guide us in contributing our quota towards realizing remarkable results in line with Vision and Mission of the Comptroller General of Customs Bashir Adewale Adeniyi mfr and His Management Team” Compt Babanded said.
Babandede emphasized the importance of inter-agency cooperation and adherence to customs procedures,adding that the Command remains committed to trade facilitation and rigorous enforcement.
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