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The Seme Area command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has recorded a total of one billion, nine hundred and forty-eight million, four hundred and eight thousand, five hundred and nineteen Naira, sixty-six Kobo (N1, 948, 408 519.66) as revenue in the past two months.
The Customs Area Controller of the command, Comptroller Mohammed Uba Garba who made this known in a press briefing at the command’s headquarters in Seme on Wednesday also said that the uncompromising stance of the enforcement unit of the command led to the seizures of eight hundred and fifty (850) items with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of three hundred and seventy-eight million, three hundred and forty-four thousand, one hundred and eighteen Naira (378, 344, 118.00)
Mohammed went ahead to give breakdown of the seizures to include; 16, 729 bags of 50kg foreign rice which according to him is equivalent to 27 trailers of rice valued at N302, 477, 049, 115 cartons of imported frozen poultry products worth N728, 654, 57 x 50litres jerrycans of Vegetable oil valued at N400,440, 11 pieces of used tyres worth N859, 345, 21 exotic vehicles valued at N134, 410, 536, 71 x 50litres jerrycans of petroleum products worth N300, 572 and 378 x 50kg bags of Sugar worth N7, 394, 521.
Others include; 40 pieces of used textiles worth N774, 270, 57 packs of Tramadol worth N11, 090, 832, 387 sacks of Coconut worth N2, 313, 360 as well as general goods worth N52, 005, 135.
He added that during the period under review, the command also arrested seven suspects some of which were convicted, some bailed while some were currently detained in connection with the seizures and were undergoing interrogation for possible prosecution.
He said, “Beyond the above statistics, it is obvious that the seizures represent protection of the economy and security of our people. Let me state clearly that it is simply not enough to inform you about the revenues and seizures (with the DPV), what is of paramount importance is to boost our economic growth and provide employment for our teeming youths.
“For instance, the government policy on rice, the rationale behind the policy is geared towards self-sufficiency in terms of food production that would meet the demand of the citizenry. Incentives have been created for rice farmers, individuals and state governments have committed so much in terms of finance in order for this goal of self-sufficiency to be actualized.
“We as a command cannot afford to be complacent. The dangers inherent in this illegality are too numerous to mention, hence our resolve to fight them relentlessly. Among the seizures recorded are imported frozen poultry products. As you are aware, such products are unhealthy and very dangerous for human consumption due to the chemical substance used in preserving them, which are carcinogenic”
The Controller assured that the service was not out to frustrate members of the public or the business community as the major interest of the service was to facilitate trade adding that all those who were compliant had nothing to fear.
“We remain determined to detect, arrest and prosecute those who do not comply with the extant laws regarding importation and exportation through the land borders. Do the right thing and save yourself the agony of losing your wealth and possibility of going to jail”, he said while calling on the host communities to cooperate with the service and equally sensitize the youths against smuggling and criminal acts.
