LAGOS -The Tincan Island Command (TCIP), of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), recently declared that its operations for the first half of this year, January – June 31, 2024 fiscal year significantly aligned with the statutory functions of the Service in various areas.
These include revenue generation, trade facilitation and enforcement/anti-smuggling activities.
Comptroller Nnadi Dera made the declaration in Lagos when he showcased the achievements in TCIP, saying the Command’s operations were performed in consciousness of the theme of the 2024 International Customs Day, which was ‘‘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.
Comptroller Nnadi disclosed that the Command further enhanced the existing operational process to conform to the malady of the floating exchange rate regime with the use of technology made available by the NICIS II Software.
According to him, 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 duties 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 Customs boss averred.
Accordingly, he said that in the area of revenue generation, from January to June31, 2024, TCIP achieved a revenue collection of N575,505,612,804.59.
This figure was an improvement by N315, 248,670,683.90 and a 221.13% increase from what was generated in the first half of 2023 which was N260,256,942,120.69.
In the area of enforcement and anti-smuggling activities, he said the command’s enforcement and anti-smuggling unit had not been relenting in its efforts to combat smuggling and all forms of criminality.
“Customs, being the lead agency at the ports, through its enforcement unit, had coordinated several 100% physical examination under my supervision in collaboration with critical stakeholders to ensure that the command is freed of any form of non-compliance to the international trade cycle,” he said, adding that the following items were discovered as concealments and seized during the period under review: One RZ17HD – 20P9964 rifle, one RZ17HD – 20P9962 rifle; one GAMO – T660739 rifle, one pump action MV0830249 rifle, one RZ17TACTICAL – 30H21PT011992 rifle; one RZ17HD – 20P9929 rifle, one pump action MV0830253 rifle, one pump action MV0830839 rifle; one RZ17HD – 20P10115 rifle, one pump action V1690019 rifle and one pump action 52-H21PT – 3803 rifle.
Others are one RZ17HD – 20P9951 rifle, one SAR9 SARSILMARZ T1102-21BV63826 pistol; one Ruger American 9MM pistol, one SAR9 SARSILMARZ T1102-21BU51078 pistol, one Taurus G3C – Bain Bridge; GA ADA 799424 pistol, one Taurus G3C – Bain Bridge, GA ADC 122309 pistol; one Taurus G3C Bain Bridge, GA ADB 941276 pistol; one used Toyota Corolla Chassis Number: 5YFBURH1EP09601: 2014 model, Sterling High Quality shot gun cartridges green (12 cal32 grams – 10packs of 25 pieces each); Sterling High Quality shot gun cartridges green (12 cal30 grams – 20packs of 25 pieces each and 23 extra pieces), 55 pieces of Seller & Bellot Buck Shot and 123 pieces of Crossman Co2 12 gram cartridges.
Also intercepted and seized are 1USP CO2 air gun pistol with accessories Cal. 117 (4.5mm) BB, units of mace pepper gun which were handed over to Department of State Services (DSS) for further Agency function; three plastic drums concealing several packets of cannabis indica, 46 bags containing 2,144 packets of Cannabis Indica; all weighing 1,072kg, seized from 1x40ft container No. GAOU 669921/5; imported from Canada.
According to the Controller, the approximate street value of the illicit substances was N3, 216,000,000.00.
Also, 877 cartons of Barcadin cough syrup with codeine, 200 bottles of 100ml per carton and 82 cartons of Really Extra Diclofenac Sodium 50mg tablets of 600 packs per carton imported from India was seized were seized.
The approximate street value of the cough syrup is N964, 339,348.00.
In the area of export, the Command revealed that the total FOB value of NXP for commercial goods exported through Tincan Island Ports in the first half of 2024 was N1, 032,601,044,744.00 and a total volume of 489,594.50 Metric Tons (MT) as against export value of 1ST half of 2023 which was N182,333,764,943.00 with a total volume of 291,436.00 Metric Tons (MT).
In terms of value, Soya beans was the highest export commodity worth N 92,059,078,980.00, while self-adhesive was the lowest export commodity with a value of N17,560,865.00.
As for the stakeholders’ activities, Nnnadi said the command had in the past few weeks engaged with different sections of stakeholders.
These meetings, according to him, have both been virtual and physical.
“The Command has engaged Shipping companies/lines on modalities to automate communication channels to reduce fraudulent manifest transmission, recycled bills of lading and other channels that could lead to revenue loss.
“The Command also engaged terminal operators and barge operators on reforms and standardizations for transire management and seamless movement of cargo in the trade cycle.
“The Command had guests from ministry of environment who came to enlighten us that the ban of wood and charcoal has been lifted.
“Furthermore, in the area of trade facilitation, the Command made available facilities for resolving disputes and addressing legitimate complaints of stakeholders as it relates to the customs clearance process via the dispute resolution committee and the helpdesk. These facilities have been strategic and significant in assisting the Command to maintain a balance between facilitating legitimate trades and collecting appropriate taxes on behalf of Government.
“In the meantime, the port access and terminal access roads are undergoing construction works and further decongestion, the Command has continued to facilitate the use of barge as an alternative means of transport for the movement of custom cargo in line with international best practices, helping to maintain business and flow in the customs clearance process.
“While we are optimistic for better performance ratings, the implementation of the e-Customs project and the installation of smart technology at the ports will be a turning point in the digitalization of customs processes and procedures and will significantly boost the Command’s capacity to enforce compliance and generate revenue in line with international best practices.”
Dena appreciated the Comptroller General of Customs and his management team for the support and clear direction which by extension pave the way for the enormous achievements credited to the command.
“We continue to express our appreciation for the support and clear sense of direction from the Comptroller General of Customs Bashir Adeniyi, and the Management of the Nigeria Customs Service for their relentless and continuous efforts towards strengthening the capacity of the Service and introducing innovative methods to perform its statutory responsibilities in line with international best practices.
“I also appreciate the contributions of my management team as well as officers and men of the Command and hereby urge them to continue to support this administration as we strive to achieve greater heights,” Comptroller Nnadienthused.
Meanwhile, the Assistant Comptroller General of Customs in-charge of Zone, ACG SaiduYusuf last week paid a working visit to TICP.
Said, who is the Zonal Coordinator, Zone ‘A’, Lagos NCS during the visit, approved letters of commendation for 18 outstanding officers of the command who performed exceedingly well in the line of their duties.
The working visit according to the ACG was in line with the vision of the Comptrollers General of Customs (CGC) based on constant engagements and consolidation.
The ACG commended Comptrollers Nnadi and his team for the achievements recorded at the Command.
He also expressed satisfaction for the huge revenue so far generated to the coffers of the Federal Government as well as the massive seizure of arms and illicit drugs.
