The Seme Customs Commands has revealed that it has surpassed its revenue target of N1,966,000,000.00 by 55.1 per cent by already collecting N3,050,100,912.28 revenue as of the end of October 2023.
This is even as the Command revealed seizures of 3,805 bags of 50kg rice (about Seven trailer loads); 1,756 Jerry-cans of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) about 2 petroleum tankers; 40 parcels of Cannabis Sativa; Two used vehicles; Three live porcupines amongst other seizures.
Addressing the media on Tuesday, the Customs Area Controller of Seme Customs Command, Controller Timi Bomodi said, “I wish to once again welcome you all to Nigeria Customs Service, Seme Area Command, and the seat of the Seme-Krake Joint Border Post, the foremost frontier for trade in West and Central Africa Area Command and one of the busiest boundary lines in Africa to brief you on some of the achievements recorded since I took over on 18th September 2023.
“The Command under my watch has made notable impacts in our key performance indicators which are revenue collection, anti-smuggling operations, and facilitation of legitimate trade.
“The Command continues to sustain tempo in harnessing all revenue components to achieve desired goals. The target for the Command for the year 2023 is N1,966,000,000.00 Only. As of the end of October 2023, the Command has collected N3,050, 100, 912.28 only. The revenue figure collected exceeded the allotted target of N1,966,000,000 by N1,084,100,912.28 only, which represents a 55.1 percent increase.
“The successes recorded could be attributed to strategies adopted by the leadership of the Command to checkmate revenue loopholes, in partnership with our stakeholders to ensure compliance.
“Under export, the Command facilitated a total of 41,867.88 Metric Tons involving One Thousand, Forty-Eight Trucks of export products, with Free On Board (FOB) of N8,299,767,340.57 only. The Nigeria Export Supervision Scheme (NESS) paid was N41,504,608.45 only. The surcharge paid for the period under review was N40,531,580.00 only.
“In the area of anti-smuggling operations, you are already conversant with our past headline seizures of 168 live Parrot birds and a Hawk which are prohibited under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) which Nigeria is a signatory. This is in addition to other notable seizures recorded between September and October 2023 listed below:
“3,805 of 50kg bags of rice about Seven trailer loads of foreign parboiled rice; 1,756 Jerrycans of Premium Motor Spirit equivalent to 52, 680 liters about 2 petroleum tankers; 1,379 of General Merchandise Goods; Hard Drugs and Narcotics (40 parcels of Cannabis Sativa); Two used vehicles; and Three live porcupines.
“Six suspects were arrested in connection with the seizures. The seized Cannabis sativa and suspects will be handed over to NDLEA for further investigation.
“The duty paid value for items seized is N326, 272, 794. 00 only.
“Let me appreciate the Comptroller General of Customs for his support to the Command and also appreciate the Seme Badagry Community for their cooperation and to officers and men of the Command for their gallantry and patriotism. Our greatest appreciation goes to the media for highlighting our modest effort in Seme Area Command.”
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