Tin-Can Customs Records 30,441 Containers Transfer on Fast Track Scheme ‘21

BY EGUONO ODJEGBA

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Tin-Can Island Customs Command said a total of 30,441 containers were transferred to Bonded Warehouses under the Fast Track scheme for compliant traders, while a total of 36,496 containers were also transported from the command by barge to Bonded Terminals and Free Trade Zone in the year ended 2021.

According to a statement signed by the Customs Area Comptroller (CAC), Abdullahi Baba Musa, the Command also disclosed it collected a total of N493, 754,017,176.81 revenue receipts for the period under review.

The above figure is in excess of its revenue target of N350, 064,600,000.00 by N143billion, representing an impressive 41.05% increase; even as Musa informed that the command has assumed operation of a new terminal known as Classic III Bonded Terminal, which has since become functional and adding to the overall scorecard of the command.

The statement reads: “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 (S.O.P.) 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.

“Additionally, rating of the compliance monitoring activities show that compliance levels improved significantly. Out of 166,903 SGDs registered in 2021, there were 2,484(1.5%) interventions. This showed 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.

“The Command’s revenue collection for the year 2021 amounted to N493, 754,017,176.81 which exceeded the 2021 Federal Government (FG) revenue target of N350, 064,600,000.00. by N143billion (41.05%). This figure also indicates an improvement in revenue by N107, 991,549,315.00 (28%) from N385, 762,467,861.35 revenue generated in FY2020.

“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.”

Speaking on the command’s anti-smuggling activities, the CAC said, “The Command in collaboration with 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 case file, vessel and suspects to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency according to Standard Operational Procedures.

“Seizure was also made of two 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), two (20ft) and nine uncontainerized cargo were intercepted and seized by the enforcement team with a total Duty Payable Value (DPV) of N607,348,617.00.”

In the area of export Musa said, “Total tonnage of goods exported through Tin-Can Island Port for the year under review is 1,725,987.02MT with a total F.O.B. value of N141, 985,109,159.00.”

Shedding light on some operational and logistics challenges, Musa said despite the federal government efforts to provide an enabling environment for cost efficient port trade and the administration of over time cargo, terminal operators response have not been very encouraging.

He identified other challenges to include lack of government warehouses, infrastructure deficit and access and exit points.

“Although efforts have been made by the Federal Government, Nigeria Ports Authority and the Nigeria Customs Service 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, we hope that these effort will be sustained to create a more user-friendly sea port that matches international standards and enables the facilitation of legitimate trade.

“In spite of the above developments, the lack of Government warehouses at close proximity 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. 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.”

The customs area boss expressed the hope that with proper digitalization of ports operations, the command will be able to better reflect in a more much positive impact, the agenda of the Controller General of Customs to raise collectable revenue, reform and conclude the restructuring of the service.

“In the coming year, 2022, and with the approval and implementation of the e-Customs project and its content of digitisation of all customs processes and procedures, our projection 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 as we continue to work in line with the CGC’s agenda to Reform, Restructure and Increase Revenue collection.”