By Chinonye Anyatonwu.
Apapa Area 1 Customs Command of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) has made seizure worth 285 million in the month of November , 2021. The command has continued to adhere to the strict mandate giving by the Comptroller General of Customs, Colonel Hameed Ali (rtd) in the areas of enhanced revenue generation and non- compromise for smuggling.
The Controller of the Command, Comptroller Malanta Yusuf who stated this in Lagos on Tuesday attributed the revenue feat to improved inter- agency synergies , enhanced trade facilitation and speedy dispute resolution and prevention of revenue leakages.
He said that the N89.7 billion which the Command generated as revenue in November 2021 was the highest monthly collection by any Command of the Nigeria Customs.
Compt. Malanta disclosed that the Command during the period , also recorded 97 seizures with duty paid value(DPV) of N7.8 billion and impounded 13 containers in November this year with DPV of N285 million .
Notable among the seized items are hard substances like captagon pills,cocaine, Tramadol, Codeine syrup, Foreign par boiled rice, Tomato paste,used clothings among others.
According to Malanta, they were seizures made based on clear contravention of sections 46, 47 and 161 of CEMA (Customs and Excise Management Act) Cap C45 LFN 2004.
He stated that the Command will not sacrifice proper examination on the altar of trade facilitation ,and will not relent on sharing intelligence to alert the system on false declaration even after examination or release of falsely declared cargo.
The Comptroller disclosed that the Command will always unveil concealment through the use of forensic manifest management system, and synergy with other sister agencies in the ports.
He appreciates its compliant traders for keeping to the rules of engagement on import and export procedures by adhering to the dictates of import/export guidelines,
Compt. Malanta however warned perpetrators of illegalities, reminding them that the Command’s officers are always vigilant to uncover any form of unlawful trade, while he reiterated the Command’s resolve on meticulous examination.of all cargoes coming in and out of Apapa port to curb the menace of illicit trade.
He urged the trading public and importers of non prohibited items to make sincere declarations, pay accurate duty and get required permits to avoid losing their investments and facing prosecution.
