Onne Customs Collects N312bn Revenue Half Year

BY FUNMI ALUKO

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Port Harcourt Area II Command Onne generated a total of N312, 094,367,124.58 between January and June 2024, representing 50.5percent of the command’s annual target.

Babandede, left, surrounded by his principal officers and Port Commandant of NDLEA, while displaying the impounded items before the press

Making the disclosure Thursday, July 25, 2024, the Customs Area Controller(CAC), Comptroller Mohammed Babandede said as at the time of speaking, the command has already collected the sum of forty-eight billion, fifty six million, eight hundred and six thousand, six hundred and ninety two naira (₦48,056,806,692.00) for the month of July 2024; with five more working days to go.

Babandede also revealed that the command recently impounded seven containers of cough syrup codeine estimated at over N11 billion, noting that the operation was carried out in collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

He vowed that under his watch, the command will continue to identify all questionable imports and to frustrate the antics of undesirable elements to shortchange the federal government in any form, and in accordance with the directives of the leadership of the customs service.

“You are aware that on the 1st of this month the Comptroller General of Customs (CGC), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi was in the Command and he addressed members of the fourth realm on recent significant developments in our operations to secure our nation’s borders and ensure public safety.

“In the face of challenging security situation in the Country the Area 2 Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has continue to step up its security function in the area of policing our Sea Port in such a way that those who do not wish our nation well will not have their way.

“It is with joy that I inform you that the Command has again recorded another significant breakthrough over these unpatriotic people who do not have the interest of our Nation at heart as attested to by the seizures on display today.

“In line with the CGC policy thrust of Collaboration and Consolidation the Command on receipt of creditable intelligence on some 40 feet containers sprang into action. In collaboration with National Drug law Enforcement Agency, Onne Port Chapter these containers were identified, positioned and jointly examined in the presence of sister agencies.

“A total of Seven (7) seized Containers were made. These Containers were found to contain 1,229,400 bottles of different cough syrup codeine (100ml), 9,100 pieces of Chilly Cutter, 2,175,000 tablets of Hyergra tablets (200mg), and 1,300,000 tablets of Really Extra Diclofenac Pain Relief tablets (50mg)

“The above seizures are estimated at Eleven billion, Two million naira, ₦11,200,000,000, which represents a huge loss on the part of those involved despite the fact of a jail term that awaits any of them who will be arrested as a result of further investigation.”

While lamenting the recalcitrant behaviour of those involved in the nefarious business, he said the seized medications will be handed over to NDLEA very shortly in line with the agencies standard operating procedure (SOP).

“It is worrisome that some Nigerians remain unrepentant even as they continue to lose. The Seized Cough Syrup Codeine and Tablets would be handed over formally to the NDLEA in due course for further investigation.”