Tin Can Island Customs Records N575bn Revenue H1, 24

BY FUNMI ALUKO

Tin-Can Island Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) pulled a staggering N575,505,612, 804.59 in revenue generation first half of the year, January-June 20024.

L-R Compt. Nnadi, MARAN President and Vice President, ,Godfrey Bivbere and Gboyega Oni, respectively during the national anthem

The figure represents an impressive 221.13% increase based on the sum of N315, 248,670,683.90 billion over and above the sum of N260,256,942,120.69billion recorded in the corresponding period of 2023.

Customs Area Controller of the Command, Comptroller Dera Nnadi mni who disclosed the revenue scorecard at the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN) secretariat explained that the feat aligns with the statutory functions of the Service in the areas of Revenue Generation, Trade Facilitation, and Enforcement/Anti-smuggling activities.

Regarded as a very unique development, the goal getter Tin-Can Customs boss announced the command’s first hald of the year’s performance scorecard in a historic media briefing at the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN) Secretariat, Lagos.

Speaking on the command’s half year activities, Nnadi said, “TCIP achieved a revenue collection of Five Hundred and Seventy-Five Billion, Five Hundred and Five   Million, Six Hundred and Twelve Thousand, Eight Hundred and Four Naira and Fifty-Nine Kobo only (=N= 575,505,612,804.59). This is an improvement by =N=315, 248,670,683.90 billion and a 221.13% increase from the FY 2023 First Half revenue collection of =N=260,256,942,120.69 billion.

“In the area of Export, the total value of commercial goods exported through Tincan Island Ports in the first half of 2024 is One Trillion, Thirty-Two Billion, Six  Hundred and  One  Million, Forty-Four-Thousand, Seven Hundred and Seventy –Four Naira Only ( =N=1, 032,601,044,744.00) and a total volume of 489,594.50 Metric Tons (MT) as against the export value of 1ST half 2023 of One Hundred and Eighty-Two Billion, Three Hundred and Thirty-Three Million, Seven Hundred and Sixty-Four Thousand, Nine  Hundred and Forty-Three   Thousand Naira Only (=N=182,333,764,943.00) with a total volume of 291,436.00 Metric Tons (MT).

“In terms of value, Soya beans were the highest export commodity worth =N= 92,059,078,980.00 while self-adhesive was the lowest export commodity with a value of =N=17,560,865.00.”

Speaking on the command’s anti-smuggling performance within the period under review, Nnadi said the command’s enforcement and anti-smuggling unit has remained alive to its responsibility without fear or favour.

“Customs, being the lead agency at the Ports through its enforcement unit has coordinated several 100% physical examinations under my supervision in collaboration with critical stakeholders to ensure that the command is freed of any form of non-compliance to the international trade cycle”, he said.

He listed some of the illicit substances seized to include three plastic drums concealing several packets of Cannabis Indica, and forty-six bags containing two thousand one hundred and forty-four packets of Cannabis Indica all weighing one thousand and seventy-two kilograms (1,072kg) imported from Canada; with a street value of N3, 216,000,000.00 valued at N3.216bn (Three Billion Two Hundred Sixteen Million Naira Only).

Overall, the forward looking CAC disclosed that the total Duty Paid Value of all the seizures recorded amounted to N8.9billon, but however pointed out that the significance of the seizures does not lie in the amount but in the ability of the service to identify and halt the inflow of the illicit drugs, arms and ammunition into the country in view of their negative impact on the national security and socio-economic well of the citizenry.

This is even as he explained that the feat would not have been achieved without the partnership and support of critical stakeholders in the industry like the shipping companies, terminal operators, among other players.

“We continue to express our appreciation for the support and clear sense of direction from the Comptroller General of Customs Bashir Adeniyi, MFR, and the Management of the Nigeria Customs Service for their relentless and continuous efforts towards strengthening the capacity of the Service and introducing innovative methods to perform its statutory responsibilities in line with international best practices.

“I also appreciate the contributions of my management team as well as officers and men of the Command and hereby urge them to continue to support this administration as we strive to achieve greater heights”, he said.