The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Tin Can Island Port Command (TCIPC), has generated N575.5 billion in revenue in the first half of the year.
The Customs Area Controller, TCIPC, Comptroller Dera Nnadi, disclosed this at a news conference on Thursday, in Lagos, held at the secretariat of Maritime Reporter’s Association of Nigeria (MARAN).
According to Nnadi, this marks an increase of N315.24 billion, representing a 121.13 per cent rise from the N260.26 billion generated in the same period in 2023.
“As at today, July 12, the command has generated N627 billion and we have been given a target of N1.403 trillion.
“This shows that significant efforts have been made in the command to meet the target,” Nnadi said.
Nnadi noted that the command’s operations over the past six months significantly aligned with the statutory functions of the Service in revenue generation, trade facilitation, and enforcement/anti-smuggling activities.
According to him, these efforts were in line with the theme of the 2024 International Customs Day, “Customs Engaging Traditional and New Partners with Purpose”.
“The command further enhanced the existing operational process to conform to the floating exchange rate regime using technology made available by the NICIS II Software,” he added.
On enforcement, Nnadi highlighted that the command coordinated several 100 per cent physical examinations under his supervision, in collaboration with critical stakeholders, to ensure compliance with the international trade cycle.
Items discovered as concealments and seized during the period under review include: one RZ17HD – 20P9964 – rifle, one RZ17HD – 20P9962 – rifle, one GAMO – T660739 – rifle, one pump action – MV0830249 – rifle, one RZ17TACTICAL – 30H21PT011992 – rifle, one RZ17HD – 20P9929 – rifle, one pump action – MV0830253 – rifle.
“Others are one pump action – MV0830839 – rifle, one RZ17HD – 20P10115 – rifle, one pump action – V1690019 – rifle, one pump action – 52-H21PT – 3803 – rifle, one RZ17HD – 20P9951 – rifle, one SAR9 SARSILMARZ T1102-21BV63826 – pistol, one RUGER AMERICAN PISTOL 9MM.
“Others listed: one SAR9 SARSILMARZ T1102-21BU51078 – pistol, one TAURUS G3C – BAIN BRIDGE, GA ADA 799424 – pistol, one TAURUS G3C – BAIN BRIDGE, GA ADC 122309 – pistol, one TAURUS G3C – BAIN BRIDGE, GA ADB 941276 – pistol.
“Also intercepted are one used Toyota Corolla Chassis Number: 5YFBURH1EP09601: 2014 model, Sterling High Quality shot gun cartridges green (12 cal 32 grams – 10packs of 25 pieces each), Sterling High Quality shot gun cartridges green (12 cal 30 grams – 20packs of 25 pieces each and 23 extra pieces).
“Included in the list are Seller & Bellot Buck Shot – 55 pieces, Crossman Co2 12 gram cartridges – 123 pieces, 1USP CO2 Air Gun Pistol with Accessories Cal. 117 (4.5mm) BB, units of Mace Pepper Gun, handed to Department of State Services (DSS) for further agency function,” he said.
He said that during the period under review three plastic drums were intercepted concealed with several packets of Cannabis Indica, 46 bags containing 2,144 packets of cannabis indica all weighing 1,072kg seized from 1x40ft Container No. GAOU 669921/5 imported from Canada.
Nnadi said that the approximate street value of the illicit substances was N3.216 billion.
He said that a total of 877 cartons of Barcadin cough syrup with codeine – 200 bottles of 100ml per carton and 82 cartons of Really Extra Diclofenac Sodium 50mg tablets – 600 packs per carton imported from India was seized.
The customs boss said that the approximate street value of the cough syrup was N964.33 million.
