Customs generates N118bn, seizes N1bn contraband in Rivers

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Port Harcourt Area 11, Onne Command in Rivers State, says it generated more than N118 billion in the first half of the 2023 fiscal year.

Comptroller Imam Baba disclosed this in a statement issued by the command’s spokesperson, Spt. Benjamin Lomba, on Thursday, July 20, 2023.

Baba stated that the command also intercepted 32 containers of contraband worth more than N1 billion during the period under review.

The comptroller noted that his administration had so far made remarkable efforts by ensuring that all revenue leakages and smuggling activities were efficiently tackled.

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He said the result led to the seizure of 32 containers with a Duty Paid Value of more than N1.1 billion

The breakdown on record of seizures included Pharmaceuticals/Medicaments and fireworks with Duty Paid Value of N139.8 million.

Others were vegetable oil with Duty Paid Value of N833.1 million, plastic with Duty Paid Value of N6.6 million, and textiles with Duty Paid Value of N3.6 million.

The Customs official added: “In June, the command seized drugs in one of the bonded terminals, the drugs have since been handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in line with the memorandum of understanding between the NCS and NDLEA.

“It is important to inform the public that one of the core functions of customs is trade facilitation which promotes streamlined and simplified technical and legal procedure for import and export goods.”

The Star