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The Customs Area Controller (CAC) of Seme Customs command, Compt. Mohammed Uba Garba displaying samples of tramadol seizures as well as other seizures, yesterday during a press briefing in Lagos. Intercepts 6753 bags of rice, 22 vehicles
By Kenneth Jukpor
The Seme Border command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) yesterday revealed that it had generated N1,055,122,539.68 via seizures and revenue generated in the last two months.
According to the Customs Area Controller of the command, Compt. Mohammed Uba Garba who revealed this yesterday during a press briefing, also said the command intercepted 11 trucks load of rice smuggled into the country from Benin Republic.
Compt. Mohammed stated that the rice numbering about 6,753 and 45 kegs of vegetable oil were intercepted as well as 22 fairly used vehicles smuggled into Nigeria from Benin Republic were also intercepted by the command.
While the amiable CAC was showcasing the seizures to the press more seizures arrived the scene as officers of the command brought additional seizures of rice to the warehouse with the CAC emphasizing that the seizure was ‘fresh’ and ‘real’.
“Twenty-two fairly used vehicles and six (6) means of conveyance have also been seized. Notable amongst them are Toyota Coaster Van (2014 model), Toyota Land Cruiser Prado (2011).
“Others are Mercedes Benz GLK 350 (2010), Toyota Sienna (2013), Toyota 4Runner (2014) and a host of others. The combined duty paid value (DPV) for the vehicles stands at N177,314,091 and the Grand Total for both seizures and revenue is N1,055,122,539.68.”
However, he said the total Duty Paid Value of the seized rice worth N158million while 45 kegs of vegetable oil worth N573million.
He said, “6,753 bags of 50kg foreign rice which is equivalent to over 11 Trailer trucks (DPV) N121,689,06O plus Levy of N35,790,900 making a total of N157million”
“45 pieces of 25 litres Jerry Cans of vegetable oil (DPV) N573,750, 135 bags of 50kg Bags of sugar (DPV) worth N567,000: 71 kegs of 25 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) with a DPV of N106,500.”
The CAC also disclosed that the command seized 91 parcels of hard drugs and had been handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
“Other items seized 21 Cartons of Tinned Tomatoes worth N127,575, two sacks of used shoes N67,500 and 91 parcels of hard drugs.”
The CAC stated that in December 2018, the command generated the sum of six hundred and twenty-three million, twenty-eight thousand, four hundred and forty-two Naira: kobo only (N 623,028,442.68).
Although he expressed regret that the command could only realize 76% of its revenue target in 2018, the CAC was optimistic that the command revenue for 2019 would be surpassed with the inauguration of the Seme-Krake Joint Border Post.
“With the inauguration and subsequent movement of the command to the Joint Border Post OBP) of Seme-Krake (designed to operate as a modern border), the operations of the command will be further enhanced through cooperation, collaboration and regional integration by facilitating the free movement of persons and services, reduction of trade and logistics costs, increase in government revenue by eliminating trade barriers, reduction of delays, operating cost and availability of baseline data for impact assessment” he added.
