The Tin Can Island Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has recorded a superlative revenue performance of N575.5billion in the first half of 2024 from January to June 30, representing a 221.2 per cent growth compared to the N260.3billion recorded in the comparative period of 2023. This also shows a difference of N315.3billion in real value over last year’s figures.
The command also within the review period handled a total of 489,594.50 metric tons of non-oil export, especially commercial agricultural produce such as cocoa, soya beans and self-adhesive, among others with a Free-On-Board (FoB) value of N1.32trillion. This is against the 291, 436 metric tons of non-oil exports recorded valued at N182.3billion in the first half of 2023.
Details of the performance also showed that soybeans was the highest export commodity, accounting for N92.06billion while self-adhesive was the lowest export commodity with a value of N17.6million.
Addressing journalists in Lagos, Customs Area Controller of the Command, Comptroller Dera Nnadi, noted that the decision to unveil its half-year report at the MARAN Centre was in line with the robust stakeholder engagement as directed by the Comptroller-General of the service, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi.
He attributed the improved revenue performance of the Command to the reforms and strengthening its operational processes, which focused on improved service delivery and trade facilitation as well as improved stakeholder engagement, which has further boosted the confidence of the trading public in the Command.
He also said that the high revenue profile was further attributable to the efforts of the officers and men of the command as well as the stakeholders, especially the compliant ones, who have decided to play by the rules.
“The Tin Can Island Port Command operations for the first half of the 2024 fiscal year (January – June) significantly aligned with the statutory functions of the Service in the areas of revenue generation, trade facilitation and enforcement/anti-smuggling activities.
“The Command’s operations were performed in consciousness of the theme of the 2024 International Customs Day: ‘’Customs Engaging Traditional and New Partners with Purpose’ with focus on Customs Administrations providing an enabling environment for stakeholders that facilitates and supports businesses and people to recover from the negative effects of the floating exchange rate through collaboration with relevant stakeholders in the supply chain and the use of technology.
“To this end, the Command further enhanced the existing operational processes to conform to the malady of the floating exchange rate regime with the use of technology made available by the NICIS II software. “Such facilities as the ‘846’ Non Standard VIN valuation application, Pre-Arrival Assessment Report (PAAR), Advance Manifest and Selectivity engine enabled a more efficient risk management process, mitigating delays in cargo clearance, facilitating legitimate trade and ensuring the collection of appropriate duty and taxes. With these measures, the Command ensured continuity in the supply chain and the Service’s commitment to providing an enabling environment for business,” the Comptroller said.
In the area of enforcement and anti-smuggling operations, the Command seized a total of 12 semi-automatic rifles and six pistols within the review period. Other arms and ammunition seized in the last six months include Sterling high quality shotgun cartridges green comprising 12 cal 32grammes contained in 10 packs of 25 and 23 pieces apiece as well as 55 pieces of Sellier and Bellot Buck shotgun.
Read also: Bill for an Act of Establishment of Nigerian Maritime University, Okerenkoko, passes third reading
Other ammunitions include 123 pieces of Crosman Co2 12gram cartridges, one unit of USP CO2 air gun pistol with accessories Cal. 117 (4.5mm) BB, units of mace pepper gun, all of which have been handed over to the Department of State Services DSS for further agency function.
Contraband items, especially illicit substances seized within the period under review include three plastic drums concealing several packets of Cannabis Indica, 46 bags containing 2, 144 packets of Cannabis Indica weighing 1, 072kilogrammes seized from one 40-foot container marked GAOU 669921/5 and imported from Canada with a total street value of N3.2billion.
The Command also impounded 877 cartons of Barcadin cough syrup with codeine comprising 200 bottles of 100ml per carton and 82 cartons of Really Extra Diclofenac Sodium 50mg tablets containing 600 packs per carton imported from India. The estimated street value of the cough syrup is N964.4million, among others.
Comptroller Nnadi pledged to further deepen the existing robust stakeholder engagement with a view to ensuring its sustainability to enable the Command to build on the current performance and possibly surpass it in future operations.
