CAC Baba Imam addressing the press.
Story by Dili Utomi.
The area 2 Command Onne of the Nigeria Customs Service, led by the Customs Area Controller Baba Imam has so far in the first three months of the year generated about 16% of the revenue target giving to it by the management team of the Nigeria Customs Service. The CAC revealed this at a press conference in Onne, Rivers State, its Command base.
CAC Imam while speaking with journalists said that “In revenue generation the Command was given a target of 336 Billion naira as revenue target for year 2023. As at today the Command has generated a total revenue of Fifty-Four Billion, Nine hundred and Ninety-Two Million, One hundred and Twenty-Three thousand, Six hundred and Eighty-Seven naira, Fifteen kobo (₦54,992,123,687.15) which translate to 16.3 percent of the target. When compared to the same period last year the Command had an increase in revenue of One billion, One hundred and Thirty-Two Million, Nine hundred and Twenty-Five Thousand, Five hundred and Fifty-Six naira, Eighty-Two Kobo (₦1,132,925,556.82). This figure realised is inspite of not having vessels berth at Onne Port for some time due to the Election atmosphere, we look forward to continuous rise in revenue generation in the coming months as we expect vessels to berth on our coastline within the next few weeks”.
CAC Imam guiding the journalists round the seized containers.
He added that “In anti-smuggling activities, within the past few weeks, since I assumed office, it has been a harvest of seizures justifying our committed resolve to facilitating only legitimate trade in line with the provision of extant laws. This is made visible with the display of a total number of 27 containers which comprises, 26 seized Containers and One detained container for violations or contraventions of various customs laws and breach of procedures as provided under the revised import prohibition guidelines (by trade) Schedule 3 Article 4 of the Common External Tariff 2022-2026, as well as Sections 46 Paragraph (b), (d), (e), (f) and 169 of Customs and Excise Management Act Cap C45 laws of the federation of Nigeria 2004 as amended”.
These seizures and detention were made based on infractions related to import guidelines, which includes:
1. Contraband Goods
2. False declaration
3. End user certificate requirement from the office of the National Security Adviser
4. NAFDAC permit/license among others in line with the Federal Government fiscal policies”.
The seized items are
1. Twenty-Four (24) containers laden with refined vegetable oil comprising a total of 24,860 gallons of 25 and 10 litres La-Jonic vegetable oil. i.e (19,800 gallons of 25 litres and 5,060 gallons of 10 litres) with duty paid value of ₦833,172,538.42. (Based on false declaration and contravention of Schedule 3 Article 4 of C.ET)
2. Also seized were other Two (2) containers laden with 1,165 cartons of Analgin injection and Fireworks with other items. i.e (286 cartons of Analgin injection I.M.V) (2/5g/5ml) (Based on contravention of revised import prohibition guideline) (210 cartons of Banga, 273 cartons of W.Tail, 216 cartons of Coloured flowers, 180 cartons of Pops) (Based on absence of End user certificate).
The total duty paid value for the two (2) containers is ₦94,652,168.39. Put together, the total duty paid value of the 26 seized containers stands at ₦94,652,168.39. According to the Comptroller “The seized cartons of Analgin injection will be handed over to NAFDAC today in the spirit of interagency collaboration”.
3. One 20 ft container of machete was detained on documentation grounds pending provision of End user Certificate.
More pictures from the One port press briefing.
The Command head stated that “Investigation is still ongoing through our legal/intelligent unit to arrest the culprits and bring them to book as soon as possible.
It is worthy of note that importation of certain controlled items like Fireworks and machete requires End-User Certificate which is under the purview of the Office of the National Security Adviser, such importations without the Certificate are to be seized and forfeited to the Nigerian Government.
The federal Government bans the Importation of refined vegetable oil in order to promote local production by our local industries, which in turn creates employment for Nigerians and to boost foreign exchange through export of such products”.
The seized containers would be filed for condemnation at the federal High Court Port Harcourt and shall subsequently be forfeited to the Federal Government.
In conclusion of his presentation, CAC Imam said “Additionally, in order to bring stakeholders involved or engaged in importation and exportation up to speed with the best International practice and knowledge required for such operation, our compliant stakeholders who believe the Command should have a conducive training and meeting centre initiated as part of their cooperate social responsibility to assist in the construction of a conference room that will serve a dual purpose. I am glad to inform you that work on the Conference/ training center is almost completed, and within the next few weeks we shall be commissioning the center.
I recognize the critical role the media can play especially in the area of sensitization and enlightenment of all stakeholders and society at large in order to achieve willful compliance to trade laws of all imports and export through this axis. Please continue to educate the public while the Command will continue to re-invigorate strategies that will enhance our performance”.
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