Seme Customs facilitates N8.2bn exports, surpasses 2023 revenue target by 55.1℅

The Seme Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service ( NCS) said it facilitated a total of 41,867.88 metric tons of export products worth N8.2billion from January to October 2023.

The command said it also recorded a total of N3.050 revenue within the review period exceeding the allotted 2023 target of N1.96billion by N1.084billion representing 55.1 percent increase.

Controller of the Command, Comptroller Timi Bomodi who disclosed this in a statement issued by the Public Relations Officer of the Command, Hussein Abdulahi attributed the successes recorded by the command to strategies adopted by the leadership of the Command to checkmate revenue loopholes, in partnership with stakeholders to ensure compliance.

He said, “Upon my assumption of duty on the 18 of September, 2023, I pledged to adopt sustainable ways and means of dealing with smuggling, while the focus will be on using administrative and strategic levels to block revenue leakages.

“I also promised to encourage compliant traders and our host Communities along the corridor bearing in mind the challenges of the Joint Border Post as one that is still adjusting to the reality of the border closure. We have keep faith within government as talk are ongoing at the highest level to regularize the situation.

“The Command under my watch has made notable impacts in our key performance indicators which are revenue collection, anti-smuggling operations, and facilitation of legitimate trade.

“The Command continues to sustain tempo in harnessing all revenue components to achieve desired goals. The target for the Command for the year 2023 is N1.96billion only. As of the end of October 2023, the Command has collected N3,050, 100, 912.28 only. The revenue figure collected exceeded the allotted target of N1,966,000,000 by N1,084,100,912.28 only, which represents a 55.1% increase.

“Under Export, the Command facilitated a total of 41,867.88 Metric Tons involving 1048 trucks of export products with Free On Board (FOB) of N8,299,767,340.57.. The Nigeria Export Supervision Scheme (NESS) paid was N41,504, 608.45) only. The surcharge paid for the period under review was N40,531,580.00) only, ”

In the area of anti-smuggling operations, Bomodi recalled the headline seizures of 168) live Parrot birds and a Hawk, which are prohibited under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) which Nigeria is a signatory.

He disclosed that between September and October the Command’s operatives intercepted 1,756 jerrycans of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) equivalent to 52,680 liters or about 2 petroleum tankers and 3,805 units of 50kg bags of rice equivalent to 7 trailer loads of foreign parboiled rice.

Other seizures within the period he said include; 1,379 of general merchandise goods, 40 parcels of Cannabis Sativa, 2 used vehicles, 3 live porcupines with a Duty Paid Value of N326million.

He added that six suspects were arrested in connection with the seizures.

Bomodi said the seized Cannabis sativa and suspects will be handed over to NDLEA for further investigation.

He expressed appreciation to the Comptroller General of Customs for his support to the Command and the Seme Badagry Community for their cooperation.