CUSTOMS: Tin Can Command Records  138.246 Tonnes Of Export In Six Months

The Nigeria Customs Service,  Tin Can Island Command  on Friday , disclosed that it recorded  138.246 tonnes of export with 75% hike between January and June 2022.

Speaking with newsmen on Friday, Customs Area Controller , Tin Can Island command, Comptroller Adekunle Oloyede who gave the statistics during the half year review of the command, said the exported cargoes had N100, 447, 814.00 in Free On Board (FOB) representing 60 percent increase from N66, 294, 630, 421.00 recorded in the fiscal year, 2022.

Giving the details, he said the command recorded an outward output throughput in export cargo of 138, 246.50 metric tonnes representing an increase of 73 percent from January to June, 2022 from the 100,500 metric tonnes recorded within period.in 2021.

Comptroller Oloyede said that the command generated over N274.3 billion revenue to the federal government coffers within the six months period.

He lauded the management of the Nigerian Ports Authority in the command for creating seamless collaboration that facilitated the clearance of export cargo at the command.

On implementation of Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) valuation, the Customs boss disclosed that the command had overcome the challenges associated with the system at the early stage of implementation through continuous engagement and consultation of relevant stakeholders.

Oloyede added that the command has also strengthened its risk management structure to mitigate constant attempts by some non-compliant agents to abuse the process through falsification of documents and forgery of signatures.

He maintained that the VIN valuation has s fo far helped the command achieve an expedited clearance process due to predictability of value assessment, increase in revenue generation, improved ease of doing business, generation of accurate statistics for government and a host of others.

On trade facilitation, the Customs Chief

stated that the command has continue to provide a conducive environment for trade through continuous engagement and collaboration with relevant stakeholders and regulatory agencies of government.

He added that the command also created a dispute settlement structure that aligns with the provisions of the import duty mechanism, which allows an importer to take delivery of his consignment in the case of persistent dispute after securing a bank bond worth the total duties and taxes payable on the item being disputed.

On enforcement and anti-smuggling activities, the Area Controller said the command records various seizures and detentions within the year under review.

In his words “In the area of enforcement and anti-smuggling activities of the Command, various seizures and detentions were made. These includes 145kg of Colorado (Indian Hemp) concealed in two units of Ridgeline trucks and two units of Toyota Corolla vehicles; 206,000 pieces of machetes; 640 bales of used clothes; 236,500 pieces of used shoes; 62,500 pieces of new lady’s shoes; 1,670,400 pieces of chloroquine injections; 1,814,400 pieces of Novalgen injection; 48,850 rolls of cigarettes and 23,800 tins of sodium bromate and baking powder.

”In addition to the above, other detention made include 3,303 pieces of motor batteries found in three containers falsely declared as three units of used Toyota Hiace buses; four units of used Mack truck heads; one unit of used Toyota Sequoia 2008 model; one unit of used Mercedes Benz GL450 2008 model, and one unit of used 2011 Toyota 4 Runner” he said.

He disclosed that the Duty Paid Value (DPV) of the total seizures amounted to over N1.3billion.

He hinted that the command had handed over one suspect, one pistol gun, two empty magazines, and 300 rounds of live ammunition to the DSS for further action.

He further explained that the seized and detained items contravened sections 46, 47 and 161 of the Customs and Excise Management Act (CEMA) CAP 45 of 2004.

Comptroller Oloyede however added that the seizures were made possible by the interventions of the Customs Intelligence Unit, the valuation unit, Customs Strike Force, and other regulatory agencies such as NDLEA, NAFDAC, DSS, SON, the Nigeria Police among others.