Nigerian Customs Service, Area 2 Command, Onne, Rivers State, stated the command generated over N312 billion in the first half of the year, representing 50.5 per cent of the annual target given to the command.
This was disclosed by the Comptroller of the command, Mohammed Babandede on Wednesday during a briefing with pressmen at the Onne Port, in Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State, according to Thisday.
The Comptroller also stated it said it generated over N48.056 billion in the month of July this year.
Babandede said that during a visit to the command on July 1, Controller General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi gave a summary of the significant advancements in their efforts to protect the country’s borders and guarantee public safety.
However, he said despite the warning by the CGC, “some saboteurs have continued to engage in the unpatriotic act of undermining the importation processes, guidelines and procedures.”
He expressed joy that the Area 2 Command of the NCS had continued to strengthen its security role in the area of seaport policing in order to stop additional economic sabotage, despite the current state of security in the nation.
Babandede said “The command in the first half of the year generated a total of N312,094,367,124.58 which translates to 50.5 percent of the annual target given to the command. As of this morning, the command has generated N48,056,806,692.00 in July and we still have five working days left in the month.”
According to him, the command is committed to raising its revenue profile while working nonstop to safeguard public health and safety.
Regarding the achievement of the command under in security of the borders, Babandede said “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 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, swung into action
“In collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Onne Port Chapter, these containers were identified, positioned and jointly examined in the presence of sister agencies.
“A total of seven seized containers were made. These containers were found to contain: 1,054,400 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 is estimated at N1I,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.”
The Comptroller said that the seized cough syrup, codeine, and tablets would be formally turned over to the NDLEA in due course for additional investigation, expressing concern that some Nigerians remain unrepentant even as they continue to lose.
Additionally, he restated the determination of the current Comptroller General of Customs to not tolerate any action that compromises the economy and security of the nation.
