Nigeria Customs Service, Area 2 Command, Onne said it has generated over N249b as at May, 2024 representing 40.3 per cent of its current annual revenue target. Comptroller of the command, Muhammed Babandede made the disclosure while briefing newsman at Onne, Rivers. According to him, the 40.3 per cent revenue record followed a recent review of the command’s annual revenue target from N494b to N618b. Babandede noted that When compared to the same period last year, the command had recorded an increase of over N153b. The Comptroller also said that six containers laden with codeine, contraband drugs and goods valued at over N3b where also confiscated during the period under review.
The seizures include; Four containers laden with bales of clothing, lace and fabrics with Duty Paid Value of over N911m. Others are; two containers laden with 2,625 cartons of codeine syrup amongst others were also seized for contravening import guidelines. The comptroller however, commended the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for inter-agency collaboration while also assuring adequate handover of seizures. He also emphasised that the command would not relent on it’s core function of trade facilitation which also entails a streamlined and simplified technical and legal procedures for clearing import or export goods. On the operations of bonded terminals, the comptroller explained that the final destination for clearing of consignment is at the importer’s discretion. “These procedures are guides which all Customs officers must adhere to, This negates the erroneous believe that officers of the Onne command connive with operators of Bonded Terminals to transfer containers,” he said.
