- Professionalism, Integrity, guiding principles to officers – Says Compt Jibo
(Written by Silas Onuoha)
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Seme Border Area Command is making drug traffickers, as well as economic saboteurs to count their losses, as the Command recorded over N1.6 billion from seizures and revenue generated in eight months (January to August, 2021).
Addressing
Journalists yesterday during press briefing, the Area Controller, Compt Mohammed Bello Jibo informed that the Command made remarkable seizures of 1,244 smuggled items with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N886.4 million from January 2021 till date.
He said; “In July, 2021
the Command made a huge seizure of 3,186 parcels of cannabis sativa know as ( Indian hemp ) concealed with sharp sand along Badagry-Seme road.
He recalled also that not long ago, the Command handed over 232 parcels of cannabis sativa to National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Special Command Seme.
The Command handed over a combined total of 3,447 parcels of cannabis sativa ( Indian hemp ) with the street value of N98,983,836.40 to operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency ( NDLEA ),
according to the the Area Controller.
His words :
“Professionalism and integrity remain guiding principles to officers in the discharge of their duties. The dedication, commitment of our officers and a very good working relationship with our stakeholders contributed immensely to the successes achieved within the period under review”
Speaking further Compt Jibo said. “The reinvigorated Command’s drive against the smuggling of premium motor spirit (PMS), Seme Command under my watch has recorded tremendous feats.
He went on.
“During the period under review, the Command recorded 10,309 jerry cans of PMS , 25 litres each, this is equivalent to 8- trailer tanker loads of 33,000 litres each.
Other seizures made within the same period include;
Rice 10,706 bagsX50Kg each;
NPK Fertilizer – 44bags
Frozen Poultry Product – 608 cartons;
Cigarette – 784 rolls;
Smuggled vehicles -109 Units
Vegetable oil- Eleven (11) jerry cans of 25 lires each
Tomatoes paste- 843 cartons
Used Shoes- 605 pairs and twelve (12) sacks
Used clothes- seventeen (17) sacks and seven (7) bales
Used tyres -19 pics
Herbicides -153 sachets
Different drugs -1419 packs and other general merchandise.
Out of the total smuggled vehicles intercepted, thirty seven (37) are presently in court awaiting condemnation”.
“The above successes recorded could be attributed to the continuous robust stakeholders engagements, vigorous intelligence gathering through collaboration with the host communities, especially the youths and security agencies, as well as the determination, demonstrated by the officers of the Command at ensuring compliance to extant government fiscal policies on import and export.”
“In a bid to ensure significant improvement of revenue collection, the Command began the activities of the year, 2021 with focus on the main objectives of revenue collection and facilitation of legitimate trade”.
He added; “however, the Benin Republic economic policies affected the revenue drive of the Command, as all goods transiting through Benin were mandated to pay some duties and levies by the government of Benin Republic, which is contrary to ECOWAS protocols and international transit agreements.
The Command collected the sum of N718, 828, 529.85 as revenue during the period under review, he said. “In addition to that, the Command processed and exited exported trade volume of 635, 149.23 Metric tons , with the Free On board (FOB) value of N15, 564, 130, 518.09 , and the NESS value of N78, 203, 779. 81 , during the period under review.
“Under ETLS, the Command treated and exited 1,314 trucks of goods under the scheme.
The Grand total for both seizure and revenue during the period under review is N1, 605, 256, 693. 26 (N1.6billion).
The CAC appreciated the maximum cooperation received from stakeholders, the Border Communities, security agencies, as well as the media for their support, patriotism and cooperation always.
He also thanked the Comptroller-General of Customs, CGC Hameed Ali, and the management team for their support, guidance.
