Seme customs command generated N1.16bn revenue in two months, says comptroller

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Seme area command, says it has generated N1.16 billion between January and February 2024.

Timi Bomodi, the area comptroller of the command, spoke on Tuesday during a media briefing in Lagos.

Bomodi said the command was given a revenue target of N7.88 billion in the current year, representing an increase of over 400 per cent compared to the target of 2023.

He said the command also intercepted 400 bags of beans at one of the exit corridors in the Seme border.

The comptroller noted that the effort was to clamp down on illegal export of grains.

He added that the items have been deposited in the government’s warehouse for safe keeping and eventual sale to the public.

“In the same vein, the continuous surveillance of the border by our officers and men, has resulted in the interceptions of 400 x 30liters of petrol equivalent of 12,000 liters with a DPV of N8,347,680 in the early hours of March 2, 2024, along the creeks,” Bomodi said.

“The petrol seized will be auctioned in line with standard operating procedure (SOP) of sales of seized perishable items as directed by the service.

“This also translates to a monthly collectable revenue of N656.26 million.

In January 2024, the command collected N643,038,611, while in February, we collected N517,950,286 making a total of N1,160,988,897.

He added that the command had processed 184 export declarations for 43 items.

“Total amount collected for the Nigerian Export Supervision Scheme was N65.3 million, and N24.4 million as export surcharge for previously imported goods,” he added.

“It is important to highlight the numerous challenges encountered by officers in the course of enforcing government policies, primary among which is the difficult terrain.

“However, since the provision of special purpose vehicles, and other critical assets by the NCS management, and the rejigging of inter-agency affairs, things have taken a positive turn here at Seme/Krake joint border post.”

The area comptroller said the command successfully made 168 interventions in two months which resulted in the seizures of 2,193 bags of 50kg of rice equivalent of three-trailer load.

“Others are 81,930 litres of petrol, nine vehicles, one 1,425 general merchandise, 265 parcels of cannabis sativa and other narcotics, 149 packs of codeine and two locally manufactured guns. All with a combined DPV of N365,888,696.00,” he said.

“A total of 13 suspects were arrested in connection with these seizures, six of them were granted administrative bails, three were handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency for further agency action. One was handed over to the Nigerian police, while three suspects are still in our custody.

“Our creeks and the Atlantic traverse this single-entry point. That is why collaboration with the Nigeria Navy is imperative and significant.

“The Nigerian Air Force and Army have provided critical support throughout this period.”