By Kenneth Jukpor
Over 36,000 containers were moved via barge operations from the Tin Can Island Ports (TCIP) in 2021 while Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) collected N493,754,017,176.81 during the year at the Command.
The Area Controller, TCIP Command, Comptroller Musa Abdullahi revealed this in a press statement disseminated today.
According to the Customs boss, the revenue collected in 2021 exceeded the Federal Government fiscal target of N350,064,600,000.00 with N143billion surplus which represents 41.05% increase.
The N493billion figure also indicates an improvement in revenue by N107,991,549,315.00 when compared to the 2020 revenue of N385,762,467,861.35, representing 28% increase year-on-year.
“In the area of trade facilitation, a new terminal, Classic III Bonded Terminal was opened under Tin Can Island Command improving the cargo throughput and revenue collection of the Command. In the year under review, a total of 30,441 containers were transferred under the fast track; 58, 234 containers and vehicles were approved for transit from the Mother Port to Bonded Terminals. With the successful implementation of a Standard Operational Procedure (SOP) on barge movement, 36,496 containers were transported form Tin Can Island Port Command through the waterways by barge to Bonded Terminals and Free Trade Zone,” the Customs boss said.
Comptroller Musa also noted that compliance monitoring activities show that compliance levels improved significantly as out of 166,903 SGDs registered in 2021, there were 2,484(1.5%) interventions. This shows an enhanced compliance rating of about 63.4% and an improvement from the 2019 compliance rating of 15,295 (9.4%) out of 162,110 SGDs registered.
On anti-smuggling, he stated that the Command in collaboration with National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), made a seizure of cocaine with a net weight of 43.110kg concealed in 40 bags of raw sugar packaged in bulk aboard the vessel MV SPAR SCORPIO. Twenty suspects and the vessel were detained in connection with the seizure; however, the Command was directed to handover the casefile, vessel and suspects to NDLEA according to Standard Operational Procedures. Seizure was also made of two (2) automatic rifles with 164 rounds of live ammunition which were intercepted in a 1x40ft container MEDU 49022/5. They have since been handed over to the DSS. Additionally, a total of 151 containers made of 149 (40ft), 2 (20ft) and 9 uncontainerized cargo were intercepted and seized by the enforcement team with a total Duty Payable Value (DPV) of N607,348,617.00.
“In terms of Export, the total of tonnage of goods exported through Tincan island Port for the year under review is One Million, Seven Hundred and Twenty Three Thousand, Nine Hundred and Eighty-Six Metric Tonnes (1,725,987.02MT) with a total F.O.B. value of N141,985,109,159,” he said.
Noting that efforts have been made by the Federal Government, NPA and Customs to mitigate the challenges of infrastructure and logistics through major repairs of the port access roads, a more organised exit and entry system for cargo trucks as well as the provision and installation of scanners at the ports respectively, he stressed that these efforts should be sustained to create a more user-friendly sea port that matches international standards and enables the facilitation of legitimate trade.
He, however, identified some other challenges such as the lack of government warehouses close to the port and the lassitude in application of extant Customs laws guiding the treatment of overtime cargo by the terminal operators remain an area that needs dedicated attention.
Musa argued that the timely transfer of overtime cargo from the Mother Port and some Bonded Terminals to the Government warehouses and the application of due process as provided by law will not only decongest the port of abandoned or overtime containers but will also improve the cargo throughput and ultimately increase revenue collection.
Giving 2022 projections for the Command, he expressed optimism that with the approval and implementation of the e-Customs project and its content of digitisation of all customs processes and procedures, projections will include improved performance in the areas of revenue collection, facilitation of legitimate trade, enhance the capacity and skills of officers and men of the Command in line with the CGC’s agenda to Reform, Restructure and increase Revenue collection.
The Area Controller commended the Comptroller General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali (Rtd) and his team for providing effective leadership and an enabling environment with the necessary operational tools for service delivery, assuring that the Command wouldn’t disappoint the Customs managerial team.
