Seme Customs Rakes In N1.1bn In Two Months

By Asuquo Nuwak

Seme Customs Rakes In N1.1bn In Two Months

In furtherance to the Comptroller-General’s directive that Command make periodic reports of their activities to members of the public, and in the spirit of open governance as championed by Nigeria Customs Service management, the Seme Customs Command has collected a total sum of N1.160, 988, 897.30 between January and February 2024.

The Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Timi Bomodi made this disclosure during a press briefing on the successes recorded thus far in the year 2024 at Seme-Krake Joint Border Post.

The breakdown of the revenue figure of the Command include N643, 038, 611.16 collected in the month of January, while the command collected a total sum of N517, 950, 286.14 in the month of February, representing about 88% of total expected revenue.

He said the Command was given a target of N7. 875 billion in the current year, representing an increase of over 400% in collections compared to the target of 2023.

According to him, “the shortfall in expected revenue collections can be attributed to a total aggregate decline in imports occasioned by the high exchange rate.

During the press briefing, Comptroller Timi Bomodi, revealed that the Command has processed 184 export declarations for 43 items with a total weight of 65,185.96 metric tonnes and a Free On Board FOB of N13.057billion.

He noted that the total amount collected for NESS was N65.337 million, while N24.407 million was collected as export surcharge for previously imported goods.

The Customs Area Controller further highlighted the numerous challenges encountered by officers in the course of enforcing government policies, which is the difficult terrain.

He said however that since the provision of special purpose vehicles and other critical assets by Nigeria Customs Service management, and the rejigging of inter agency affairs, things have taken a positive turn at Seme-Krake Joint Border Post.

He further noted that the Command has successfully made 168 interventions between January and February 2024, which resulted in the seizures of 2,193 bags 50kg (3 trailer load equivalent) foreign parboiled rice, 81,930 litres (3 tankers equivalent), 9 vehicles, 1425 general merchandise, 265 parcels of cannabis sativa and other narcotics, 149 pkgs of codeine and two locally manufactured guns with a combined Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N365, 888, 696.00

During the press briefing, Comptroller Timi Bomodi, disclosed that a total of 13 suspects were arrested in connection with the seizures, six suspects were granted administrative bails, three of them were handed over to the Nigerian Police, while suspects are still in Customs custody.

He highlighted the importance of the Joint security meetings held regularly at Joint Border Post, in addition to the fact that these meetings provide valuable intelligence and opportunities to cross fertilize ideas about border management.

In addition to this, he said collaboration holds the key to success in border management, hence the major reason why the Command have insisted on information sharing among sister agencies.

In the words of Comptroller Timi Bomodi: “In the light of present economic realities, where massive food shortage have been reported across the country, and in line with the directive to ensure grains are not exported illegally, the Command made a seizure of a truck load of beans, totally 400 bags with Duty Paid Value DPV) of N61, 450,00.00 million stockpiled in a warehouse at one of the exit corridor in the border. This items has since been deposited in the government warehouse for safe keeping and eventual sale of the public”.

At the same time, he said the continuous surveillance of the border by the officers and men of the Command has resulted in the interceptions 400×30 liters of pms equivalents of 1200 liters with a Duty Paid Value DPV of N8, 347, 680 recently along the creeks.

He added that the pms seized will be auctioned in line with Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) of sales of seized perishable items as directed by the Service.

According to him, these seizures come in the heels of successes in anti-smuggling activities recorded in 2023, which saw 513 seizures of foreign parboiled rice, premium motor spirit, vehicles, general merchandise, drugs/narcotics and vegetable oil.

While other seizures include $6,000,000.00 fake currency, 15 fake international passport s, 10 international driver’s licenses, 152 live birds and other endangered species with a Duty Paid Value DPV of N1.212 billion.

In his presentation during the press briefing, he said the Lagos-Abidjan corridor of which the Lagos-Badagry expressway is a major composite and a singular passageway accessible via multiple tributaries.

Apart from this, he disclosed that, this is the major reason why collaboration with the Nigeria Navy is imperative and significant, adding that the Nigerian Air-force and Army has provided critical support throughout the period.

In his words: “As the lead agency in border security, and facilitator of international trade, we are constantly aware of the need to balance both responsibilities through the use of risky management tools at our disposal”.

” We are also aware that those whose illicit businesses have been significantly hindered our activities and will spare no effort in devising new method s to counter us”.

In the same vein, he said some of these efforts include misinformation
and disinformation, while assuring the public that the Customs will continue to remain alive to Customs responsibilities and will not be deterred by naysayers or anyone intent upon casting aspersions on Customs officers, some of whom have paid the ultimate price for the service and to their country

In conclusion, he said officers have been severely maimed and will bear the scars of their bravery in their graves. In addition to this, he said, these are challenging times for the Nigeria Customs Service, as criminals get more desperate and daring, while Customs at Seme-Krake Joint Border Post will ensure the sustainability of a more formidable defense.