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Customs Corner

Apapa Customs Intercepts Improperly imported 7 Containers Worth N292M

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Author: ucy Nyambi.

The Nigeria Customs Service, Apapa Area Command, has impounded 7 containers of cutlasses and machetes, frozen poultry products and expired pharmaceuticals worth N292.2 million.

Giving a breakdown of the seizures to newsmen on Friday, 19 July 2024, the Customs Area Controller (CAC) Comptroller Babatunde Olomu stated that the items fall short of the import prohibition guidelines.

He said, “On Thursday, 17 July 2024, the command seized 2x40ft containers carrying 12,000 pieces of cutlass and machete; 2x40ft carrying 4,129 packages of frozen poultry product; 1x40ft container carrying 368 jumbo bales of used second-hand clothing; and 1x40ft container of expired pharmaceuticals. The duty paid value (DPV) of these seized items stood at two hundred and ninety-two million, two hundred and forty-four thousand, eight hundred and fifty-seven naira (292,244,857.00).

“It is pertinent to note that this type of importation is against schedule 3 of the revised import prohibition list of the Common External Tariff (CET) and violates section 233 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023.”

Comptroller Olomu disclosed that the seizures were made following a combination of intelligence and diligent enforcement in ensuring that no consignment exits Apapa Port or any terminal under the command without undergoing proper examination.

“As a working principle, I have reiterated that this command will continually sustain and improve on trade facilitation and maximum revenue collection without compromising the enforcement of our extant laws as they pertain to a false declaration, concealment, under declaration and undervaluation,” Olomu said.

Speaking on the importation of cutlasses and machetes, the CAC clarified that such items require an end-user certificate from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).

“Importations like this require an end-user certificate issued from the office of the National Security Adviser. There are security challenges, and one would want to ensure that the purpose for which these cutlasses are being brought in are the ones that satisfy the law,” the CAC clarified.

He reiterated the health implications of consuming foreign frozen poultry products, saying, “The consumption is harmful to health. Also, this particular one has been over one year since they packaged it, and it has expired. The government banned this because of health hazards and to encourage local products,” Olomu stated.

Speaking further, the CAC stated that the items would be handed over to the appropriate agencies for further investigation and regulatory action.

He restated the command’s commitment to ensuring that only consignments that meet the integrity test of compliance will be allowed to go through the port as import or export cargoes.

Customs Corner

Apapa Customs Sets New Benchmark, Records All-time N1.5 Trillion in 9 Months

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Apapa Customs Sets New Benchmark, Records All-time N1.5 Trillion in 9 Months

By Femi Anamelechi

Comptroller Babatunde Olomu in charge of the Nigeria Customs Service, Apapa Area Command has announced an all time highest revenue collection of N1.5 trillion from January to September 2024.

The Customs Area Controller (CAC) made the announcement during a parade at the command on Wednesday, 11 September 2024.

He said the outstanding fit was made possible because of the meticulous documentation and professional discipline by officers and men of the Apapa Customs Area Command.

 

He praised the officers’ for their resilience, commitment and professionalism, while also charging them to do more. “We must surpass this achievement. We cannot afford to relax.”

The CAC assured that the service will continue to reward diligence, commitment and dedication to duty by officers.

Speaking shortly after the parade, Comptroller Olomu reiterated that the command’s outstanding performance in revenue generation was a result of the motivation and rewards system introduced by the command for officers who performed creditably.

“The excellent revenue generation of officers we recorded is as a result of blockage of all revenue generating leakage and proper documentation of payments by officers who were adequately motivated”, he stated.

He therefore, admonished officers in different categories to always strive for excellence in carrying out their statutory duties.

The CAC expressed the appreciation of Apapa Area Command to the Comptroller General of Customs (CGC) Adewale Adeniyi and his management team for leading by example.

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Customs Corner

Four Officers Honoured for Exceptional Performance in Customs Airport Cargo Command 

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As Comptroller Awe Reaffirms CGC’s Dedication to Recognition

Author: Abass Quadri

Comptroller Michael Awe, in charge of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport Cargo (MMIAC) Command, has recognised four officers for their excellent performance in executing their duties.

The officers were honoured during a parade at the Command on Wednesday, 11 September 2024.

Addressing the Officers and men of the Command, the CAC stated that the recognition, which will be done monthly or quarterly, is part of the CGC’s commitment to rewarding hardworking officers.

“There are four officers here, each representing one month from May to August 2024, who will be given letters of recognition today. The letters have reached the Office of the Zonal Coordinator, and he will send them to headquarters,” the CAC said.

Regarding the Command’s revenue generation efforts, Comptroller Awe noted that more than N16 billion has been collected so far. He appreciated the senior officers for their support, acknowledging that this success could not have been achieved alone.

The recognised officers include CSC Itinu Jimoh, CSC Moses Aboki, SC Jidda Aliyu, and IC Sanni Mohammed.

The officers expressed their excitement and gratitude to the CAC for recognising their efforts.

According to CSC Aboki, “The CAC has assured us that we do not need to harbour any fears. Henceforth, we will conduct more thorough examinations, as it is through this that we can detect illicit or underpaid items.”

The parade concluded with a free eye test provided by Poise Eye Care Limited.

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Customs Corner

Finance Minister Presides Over 60th Regular Customs Board Meeting

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Highlights Government Efforts to Ease Nigeria’s Cost of Living

Author: uhammad Bashir.

The Honourable Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, on Tuesday, 10 September 2024, presided over the 60th regular board meeting of the Nigeria Customs Service.

The meeting, which he held at the newly built NCS headquarters in Maitama, Abuja, was said to be the first of its kind since the commissioning of the edifice by former President Muhammadu Buhari in 2023.

The Minister expressed his satisfaction with the board’s adherence to the decision to meet quarterly, describing it as an essential aspect of corporate governance.

He stressed that regular meetings and updates on financial performance were crucial for any government agency seeking to meet its objectives that impact positively on the citizens.

He highlighted further, “I think that board meetings serve as an important part of corporate governance and corporate governance is key to running an organisation efficiently as well as provide the necessary direction and management to keep government policies on track.”

The Minister also applauded the integrity and transparency of CGC Adeniyi, noting that the principles guiding the board’s operations were exemplary with a commitment to achieve laudable objectives and tenets to run an organisation like the NCS.

The Minister, who stressed the importance of collaboration between various ministries and the private sector, said the Nigeria Customs Service Board includes representatives from the ministries of Trade and Investment, Foreign Affairs, and Finance, as well as members of the organised private sector.

This congregation, according to Edun, “Ensures that critical national issues are thoroughly discussed and implemented in a timely manner”.

While filing questions about his feelings, he was the first Minister and NCSB Chairman to have chaired a meeting at the newly built NCS Corporate Headquarters, the Hon. Minister took the opportunity to commend the Customs Service on the achievement.

He said, “I congratulate the Nigeria Customs Service on this achievement of not just building a new edifice, but actually moving into it, making use of it, and keeping it very neat and tidy, and I pray for the success of all those who work at the new facility.

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