By Kehinde Ibrahim, Lagos
TIN Can Island Port Command of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) says it has achieved increased revenue collection and seizures with a total collection of N135.44b in first quarter revenue and seizure of 8 units of 20 foot containers of machetes
The Customs Area Controller (CAC), Comptroller Olakunle Oloyede who stated this at a media conference in Lagos on, also highlighted the seizure of 206,000 pieces of machetes brought in without end user certificate from Office of National Security Adviser.
The 2022 first quarter collection is N22.74 billion higher than the total collection N112.69 billion realised in the same period last year.
The revenue increase translates to 20.18 per cent when compared with first quarter collection of 2021.
Comptroller Oloyede also showed seizures of 640 bales of used clothes; and 236,500 pieces of used shoes, among others, amounting to a Duty Paid Value of N1, 048,810,569.
He explained that the command’s operations for the first quarter significantly aligned with the statutory responsibilities of the Service.
Oloyede said this was particularly so, in the areas of revenue generation, trade facilitation and enforcement/anti-smuggling activities.
On export, he said the total tonnage of goods exported through the command for the period under review was 71,014.4 metric tonnes with a total Free On Board (FOB) value of N56, 205,901,295.
He equally said that in the preceding year, January-March 2021, the total tonnage of goods exported through the command was 44,502.9 metric tonnes with a total FOB value of N31, 371,825,954.
“Comparatively, between January to March 2021 and 2022, the tonnage of goods exported through the Command increased from 44,502.9 metric tons to 71,014 representing an increase of 62.67 per cent.
“The FOB Value in Naira of the tonnage also increased from N31, 371,825,954 to N56, 205,901,295 representing an increase of 55.82 per cent within the period under review.”
He said that commodities exported through the command include copper ingots, stainless steel ingots and sesame seeds.
Oloyede also listed cashew nuts, cocoa beans, rubber, cocoa butter, leather, ginger and frozen shrimps among the commodities.
In the area of enforcement and anti-smuggling activities, Oloyede said that seized items include 145kg of Colorado (hemp) concealed in 2 units of Ridgeline trucks and 2 units of Toyota Corolla vehicles.
He also listed 206,000 pieces of machetes, 640 bales of used clothes, 236,500 pieces of used shoes, among others as part of the seized items.
Oloyede said that the seized items had a Duty Paid Value amounting to N1, 048,810,569.
“The import of these products contravenes Sections 46, 478 161 of the Customs & Excise Management Act (CEMA) Cap 45 LFN 2004,” he said.
