Nigeria Customs Service nets over N5.9Billion in 2017
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit, Zone ‘A’ Ikeja, Lagos has disclosed that a cumulative of over N5.9 Billion was made by the Zone in 2017.
The Controller of the Zone, Comptroller Mohammed Uba who made the disclosure in a press statement issued on Monday, January 8, 2018 revealed that the Zone made 1,046 different seizures between January and December 2017 and arrested 179 suspects in connection with the seizures.
Uba said, “despite the challenges of the year, 2017 recorded the highest seizures and revenue so far in the history of Federal Operations Ikeja.
“The seizures which includes foreign parboiled rice, frozen poultry products, vegetable oil, smuggled vehicles, Indian hemp, arms, fake pharmaceutical/medicaments and various general merchandise had a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of over N4.4Billion.
“Similarly, the unit through its interventions recovered over N1.956 Billion from duty payments and demand notices on general goods that tried to beat the system from seaports, airport and border stations through wrong classification, transfer of value, and shortchange in duty payment that are meant for the Federal Government of Nigeria. This makes it a total cumulative of over N5.9 Billion for the year 2017.”
He attributed this feat to leadership of the Comptroller General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ali (Rtd) and the entire management team of the NCS for their efforts in recognising hardwork and putting square pegs in square holes.
Uba while commending the commitment and diligence of the Officers and Men of the FOU ‘A’ for thwarting the antics of some dare devil smugglers who used different methods to deceive the service. He further charged his officers to be professional and diligent in performing their statutory responsibilities in the year 2018; most especially in the area of anti-smuggling operations by making sure all revenue linkages are blocked.
Comptroller Uba enjoined all hands to be on deck in the fight against these economic saboteurs who mean no good for the economy.
He adds, ” smuggling is a global phenomenon, which cannot be curbed entirely but can be brought to its barest minimum. He appreciated all security and sister agencies (Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police, NDLEA,NAFDAC, SON,) that rendered logistics support and cooperation towards winning the war against smuggling within the southwest zone.”
He further warned all would be smugglers and their accomplices to desist from such illegality and invest their money in legitimate business, as the Unit has devised other operational modalities that give them a run for their money and count their losses, if not jailed.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Federal Government policy banning the importation of Vehicles and Rice through the land borders is still in force and we are ever ready and equipped to enforce these polices to the latter,” he said.
