The Tin-Can Port Island Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), has generated about N303.5 billion between January till date, representing about N50.5 billion higher than theN253 billion it collected in the corresponding period of 2017.
This is just as it disclosed that another 13 containers of Tramadol, dangerous drugs with other contraband items worth N3.13 billion were intercepted at the Apapa ports by the Tin-Can Island Customs Command.
The Comptroller General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ali (rtd), who made the disclosure at the weekend to journalists, noted that the improved revenue drive by the Service had yielded positive results, particularly in dealing with issues of underpayment, undervaluation, under transfer, concealment, falsification of documents among others.
The Customs CG, who was represented by the Deputy Comptroller General of Customs, Austin Chidi, commended the Customs Area Controller, Tin-Can Island Port, and all officers and men of the Command for their commitment as evidenced in the improved revenue collection and seizure records.
He said: “The Service will surely expect more from you especially at this period when the volume of trade is expected to go up.
“Consequent upon our increased surveillance on declarations made in Tincan Island Port command to ascertain/untrue declarations, some containers found to be loaded with prohibited items were seized and forfeited to the federal government of Nigeria in line with the provision of CEMA CAP C45 LFN 2004 sections 46 and 161”, the CG added.
He maintained that the introduction and application of the Time Release Studies for the evaluation of the officers to ensure that needless days were identified and regularised in the command’s efforts to achieve 48hours clearance timeline in line with presidential directive was remarkable.
This is even as he spoke on the various facilitation platforms put in place in the command in compliance with the presidential directives on ease of doing business, including the one-stop treatment area where all alerts are resolved under one roof.
On the seizure of containers of Tramadol and other dangerous drugs, Ali explained that two of the containers had been handed over to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) on the 11th and 20th of October while one of the containers was also handed over to the NDLEA on the 2nd of November,2018; thereby leaving the Command with 10 containers of Tramadol.
He clarified: “The seizures include 11 by 40 feet and 2 by 20feet containers of mostly Tramadol, Ciprofloxacin capsules, Diclofenac Sodium tablets, Soffeathe I.V Cannula, Sildenafil Citrate tablets, Bleaching soaps, and Bales of used clothing. All were seized and forfeited to the Federal Government in line with the provision of CEMA CAP C45 LFN 2004, sections 46 and 161.
“In the same vein, a container of soap suspected to contain harmful bleaching ingredients and two-second hand clothing’s were also seized. All these seizures were in violation of the absolute prohibition list of CET 2015-2019.
“The Service wishes to reiterate its concern for the health and security of Nigerians, and one would better imagine the devastating effect on the life of our youths if these quantities of unwholesome drugs had found its way into the market. We want to reassure the nation that the Customs will not renege on its mandate irrespective of its circumstances”, the CG added.
