Customs Corner
Customs Chief Showcases N1.8B Worth of Seized Expired Drugs, Warns Against Dangerous Imports
Author: Lucy Nyambi.
The Comptroller General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, has showcased tramadol seizures, expired and unregistered pharmaceutical products worth N1.8 billion at Apapa Port.
The CGC, who showcased the items during a press briefing on Thursday, 15 August 2024, highlighted the Nigeria Customs Service’s (NCS) resolve to prevent any importation that could be detrimental to the health and well-being of Nigerians.
His words, “While our commitment to facilitating legitimate trade remains unwavering, we are equally dedicated to ensuring that any import consignment or export cargo transiting through our ports under customs control is thoroughly checked using our non-intrusive (scanning) measures and physical examinations where necessary”.
“Today, I am here to present seizures made by our officers at the Apapa Port Command, which comprise expired and controlled pharmaceutical products with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of NGN 1.8 billion. Aside from being expired, some of the seized drugs were imported without undergoing the necessary regulatory requirements, such as obtaining a National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) number. We also have containers seized due to false declarations, ostensibly to evade duty payments, which amounts to smuggling”, he explained.
The Customs Boss noted that, in total, 12 containers were seized and in flagrant violation of Section 233 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act (NCSA) 2023.
In addition to the pharmaceutical products, there were two 40ft containers with 15,540 and 12,000 pieces of cutlasses and machetes. A total of 27,540 pieces of cutlasses and machetes were contained in the two containers.
The CGC advised port users to remain compliant and vowed to run importers of illicit items out of business.
“Port containers are on parade today, the owners of these truck containers, we are going to run them out of business and use them as a deterrent to others who still believe they can doubt our resilience and our commitment to rid Nigeria of dangerous products and prohibited items”, he stated.
He commended the response of the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu and all his officers and men for responding adequately to the challenge he had thrown at them. “They have shown commitment and passion, and they have shown that they can indeed be counted when we are talking about patriotic Nigerians”.
Author: Titus Omajali
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) announced on Thursday, 12 September 2024, that it will partner with the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) to boost trade, encourage local production and ease Cross-border trade.
The Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, made this known when he received the Director-General (DG) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of SMEDAN, Charles Oidi, and his team at the NCS Headquarters in Abuja.
The CGC stated that a dedicated SMEDAN team will be established at the NCS office to provide specialized assistance and facilitate seamless processes for small and medium-sized businesses engaged in cross-border trade. “The population of SMEs cannot be ignored. Whatever you do with them, you do it to strengthen the economy of the nation,” he said
Responding, the DG/CEO of SMEDAN, Charles Oidi, commended the CGC for his commitment to SME development and pledged to continue facilitating productive interactions between government agencies and the SME ecosystem. “SMEDAN remains dedicated to identifying bottlenecks, designing inclusive solutions, and implementing effective strategies to support the growth of SMEs in Nigeria,” he stated.
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.
…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.
-
Revenue Streams3 years agoCommunication Ministry Gives Zero Allocation to Nipost Out of N137.2billion Capital Votes
-
Customs Corner2 years agoCustoms Emerges Champions of 2022, Male, Female National Volleyball Super Cup
-
ICT5 years agoFinally! Huawei Launched Harmony OS | Let the Rivalry Begins with AndrodOS
-
COVID-194 years agoVaccine Trials Starts Round The World: All You Need to Know
-
Newsroom4 years agoNNPC Blames #EndSARS Protests, As Fuel Queues Return
-
Naija News6 years agoINEC registers 23 new political parties. YES, RAP, UP, 20 other parties
-
Foreign2 years agoPhilippines’ Duterte Blocks Bill to Register Social Media Users
-
Business Africa6 years agoIn My Opinion: Dear politicians, walk the (democratic) talk, or keep quiet – Buchi Obichie