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Tag: Customs Service

  • Customs Service makes 206 seizures in Lagos State in Q1 2024

    Customs Service makes 206 seizures in Lagos State in Q1 2024

    Nigeria Customs Service made 206 seizures in Lagos State in the first quarter of 2024, Controller, Federal Operations Unit Zone A, Mr Hussein Ejibunu, said on Friday in Lagos.

    He told a news conference that smugglers ought to have paid N2.87 billion as import duties on the seized goods.

    Ejibunu said also that 29 suspects were arrested in connection with the seizures.

    He listed goods seized as 12,278 (50kg) bags of rice, 40 used vehicles, 286 cartons of rubber slippers, and 1,220 cartons of tomato pastes.

    Read Also: Nigeria Customs Service generates N1.3trn in first quarter 2024 says C-G

    Others were 2,705 kegs of petrol, 3,510 pieces of used tyres, 330 bales of used clothes, 2,230kg of Indian hemp and 1,569 cartons of frozen poultry products.

    Customs also seized 365 cartons of unmarked drugs, 104 motorcycles and 566 cartons of slippers during the period, he added.

    Ejibunu also told newsmen that the zone collected revenue of N305 million in the first quarter of 2024.

    He added that smuggled frozen poultry products were intercepted around Badagry in Lagos State on Friday and advised Nigerians to stop patronising frozen poultry products as harmful chemicals were used in their preservation.

    Ejibunu also pleaded with Nigerians to stop patronising “chemist’’ shops saying that many sold unlabelled drugs injurious to health.

    (NAN) 

  • Customs Service rake-in about N13b cash in Lagos

    The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has raked-in about N13billion at one of its commands in Lagos, it was learnt.

    The cash was generated within the first six months of the year by the Lillypond Customs Command.

    Its Public Relations Officer (PRO) Faruq Abubakar said N12.61 billion was generated in the first half of the year in contrast to N4.31 billion generated in the corresponding period last year.

    He attributed the increase in revenue generation to the excellent performance of the Area Controller, Mahmud Dalhat.

    For instance, he said the command generated N2.40 billion last month, which translated to an increase of 68 per cent above the monthly target.

    Abubakar said the annual target of the command for last year was N10.6 billion.

    The command, findings revealed, was able to generate the cash based on the consistent efforts of the controller in monitoring the operations at the Customs Processing Centre in Lekki, Lagos Free Trade Zones in Lagos and Lillypond Terminal at Ijora.

    He said the command’s target for this year is  N17.1 billion.

    He said the controller has blocked all the leakages as part of his efforts to surpass the target set for the command.

    The command generated revenue from the general cargo and containerised cargo.

    “We have no record of seizures due to the commitment of the officers and men of the command and the controller has always sensitised clearing agents on the importance of honest declaration.

    “The introduction and adoption of Nigerian Integrated Customs Information System (NICIS II) also have positive effects on the revenue collection drive of our command,” he said.

    Abubakar said the controller has put in place good policies to ensure free flow of business in line with the Federal Government directives on Ease of Doing Business.

    He commended the policies and business initiatives of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ali (rtd,) and lauded his efforts in motivating officers, saying that it has led to the credible  performance of the Service and revenue generation.

  • Senate to confirm appointment of CG of Customs Service

    Senate to confirm appointment of CG of Customs Service

    The Senate has passed a bill that would make it mandatory for the President to seek confirmation of the appointment of the Comptroller General for the Customs Service.

    The bill also makes it mandatory for the President to appoint the Comptroller General from officers within the Customs Service. The present CG, Col. Hammed Ali was appointed from outside the service.

    Introduction of the new bill has caused a repeal of the existing Customs and Excise Management Act, Cap. C45, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

    It has scrapped the Customs Governing Board and replaced it with the Customs Service Commission.

    The upper legislative chamber argued that “The office of the Comptroller General of Customs is sufficiently sensitive to warrant scrutiny by the Senate and thus ensure that the best possible candidates occupy that position”.

    Senators also inserted a clause that makes it mandatory for the federal character law to reflect in the appointments of Deputy Comptrollers General, Assistant Comptrollers General.

    A provision in Clause 13 Subsection (2) makes it mandatory for the Customs Service Commission to determine the numbers and duties of Deputy Comptroller General and Assistant Comptroller General.

    The Commssion is to be headed by a chairman, who would be a retired career Comptroller General or Deputy Comptroller General, who would be appointed by the President an initial tenure of four years.

    The appointment of the chairman of the commission is also subject to confirmation by the Senate, and the tenure is renewable once.

    The bill, entitled, “A Bill for an Act to Repeal the Customs and Excise Management Act, to Establish the Nigeria Customs Service, Reform the Administration and Management of Customs and Excise in Nigeria, was passed following the adoption of the report of its Committee on Customs, Excise and Tariff.

    Section 13 of the Bill made it clear that only a serving officer in the Customs Service should be qualified to be appointed CG

    The section stated in parts, “The President shall appoint from the Customs Service, subject to the confirmation of the Senate, a Comptroller General who shall be responsible for the over all management of the Customs Service.

    According to the bill, the Commission would be responsible for managing policies of the Customs Service or matters pertaining to administration, assessment, collection and accounting for revenues, as may be directed by the Minister of Finance from time to time.

    It would also be responsible for managing all issues relating to employment, training, welfare, and discipline of officers of the Customs, with the approval of the appropriate authority of the Federal Government.

    The bill consolidated into a single reference document, the Customs Service legal authority, which is embodied in multiple enactments, with the view to bringing the Customs and Excise Management Act (CEMA) 1958, in line with modern day reality and international best practices.

    Chairman of the Senate Customs committee, Senator Hope Uzodinma explained that the service would also be financed from a seven percent cost of collection of import duty, excise and fees, special levies, revenues derived from assessment and collection of cost based user fees, and from budgetary provisions.

    Uzodinma said, “The new bill will substantially enhance revenue generation and facilitate trade through full implementation of modern customs procedures that will evolve consistent, transparent and predictable environment for international trade in line with internally accepted norms and practices”.

    The senator added that the bill would also ensure pre-shipment and post shipment inspection at point of origin and destination, to reduce the incidence of illegal importation of weapons and other lethal items.

    “It strengthens the full implementation of pre-shipment laws of the country through the provisions for screening as a prerequisite for clearing goods into the country, not only adds to the expedited clearing system, but empirically improves the security of the nation by minimising the unfettered access into the country of illicit goods, prohibited narcotics, proliferation of small arms and toxic cargoes”, Senator Uzodinma added.

    The bill also made provisions for the use of modern Information Technology (IT) platforms and systems, including electronic documents, signatures and electronic payments, as well as application of Risk Management and other IT related issues.

    It also provides for the publication of a tariff handbook, subject to approval of the National Assembly, with the view to curtailing arbitrary tariff reviews.

     

  • Customs makes N800b in eight months

    Customs makes N800b in eight months

    The Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) has generated over N800 billion, about 70 per cent of its N1.2 trillion target for the year, raising the chances of the retention of its Comptroller-General, Alhaji Abdullahi Dikko.

    Sources told The Nation that Dikko and his men have surpassed the expectations of the Presidency and the Economic Management Team (EMT) in revenue generation.

    The Customs, it was learnt, has been upping the ante in revenue collection, contributing almost 25 per cent of the budget.

    According to a source, under Dikko, the Customs has contributed over N800 billion to the Federation Account as at the end of last month; and it is set to make an unprecedented contribution of over N1.3 trillion to the government’s coffer before the end of the year.

    The amount, it was learnt, represents about a quarter of the nation’s N4.964 trillion budget. The President is said to be happy that Customs has plugged revenue loop-holes at the seaports and borders.

    To enable the Customs excel Dikko is said to have opposed the payment of N40 billion yearly to the former service providers while his men had been trained to carry out their functions.

    He is said to have trained no fewer than 15,000 officers in the core areas of Customs responsibilities to facilitate trade at the ports and boost capacity building.

    Some officers, investigation revealed, were trained at home and others abroad to ease Customs clearing procedures and achieve ports efficiency.

    The affected officers, it was gathered, were trained in Customs operations, such as tariff classification, valuation, enforcement and e-Customs.

    “The truth is that the Dikko-led Customs Service has done so well in the area of revenue generation, anti-smuggling functions, trade facilitation, post audit functions, national and international collaboration, capacity building, training, ICT compliance and infrastructural development.

    “When he assumed office on August 17, 2009, it seemed  he took one hard look at the stagnating state of affairs of the Service and was convinced that what was needed is a pragmatic approach by insightful managers who would work with a motivated staff force to bring about the needed revenue to boost the economy.

    “It is generally believed in government circle that the condition of the Service before he came to office was not a salutary one. The service was like one of those government agencies that were in a dire need of reforms and, which had unfortunately, defied many past attempts to transform it into an organisation that would live up to the expectations of those in government and Nigerians,” the official said.

    The source said the Customs boss is yet to attain 35 years in service or clock 60 years, which is the mandatory retirement age.

    “The Economic Management Team is impressed with the revenue collected so far by some major commands of the Service as well as seizures recorded by its Federal Operations Units, the anti-smuggling arms of the service,” the source said.

  • Seme Customs generates N781m

    The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Seme area command says it generated N781,797,557,68 last month.

    The command also made 76 seizures with Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N18,076,695 during the same period.

    The seized items included rice, vehicles narcotics and frozen poultry products among others.

    Speaking with The Nation, its Area Controller Mr Willy Egbudin, said the command seized the prohibited frozen poultry products and the vehicles along bush paths used by smugglers around the border between Nigeria and Benin Republic.

    According to him: “The smugglers in an attempt to beat the various patrol teams of the command, brought the seized items through bush paths which are unapproved routes, but were shocked to see our officers who are keeping vigil at all possible areas of passage.

    “On sighting our operatives from afar in the bush, the smugglers tried to reverse to the Republic of Benin, and not being able to do so, fled into the bush, abandoning the poultry foods and the vehicles”.

    Also, the Customs Area Controller of the command, Comptroller Willy Egbudin who supervised the destruction of the poultry products, described the seizure as a warning signal to desperate smugglers who, during every festive period push their unlawful trade far by daring the resolve of the customs.

    He added that the law is no respecter of persons and that its full weight will be brought to bear on those involved in the smuggling act even as the command has begun  investigations aimed at getting them arrested.

    “This seizure is a warning signal to anyone who attempts to dare us during the day or at night, because we are aware of their antics, our men are deployed in the bushes while normal patrol and  approved check points are sustained.

    “Our Comptroller General’s zero-tolerance for smuggling is being pursued with renewed vigour and zeal, therefore any attempt to undermine our presence will be dealt with in line with the Customs and Excise Management Act.

    “Laws being enforced by Customs is no respecter of persons and we will continue to give our best in carrying out the directives of the CGC to the fullest. There will be no hiding place for smugglers at the border,’’ he said.

    Egbudim also used the opportunity to remind youths of border communities to resist any attempt to be lured into smuggling or any act that can place them on the wrong side of the law.

  • Customs generates N6.4b in six months

    The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Zone ‘B’, generated over N6.4 billion between January and June.

    The amount represents 74.51 per cent of the total revenue target of the command.

    The Customs zonal coordinator, Assistant Comptroller-General (ACG) Ade Dosumu, said between January and June, the Zone generated N6,801,605,489.92, which is more  than N4,442,178,638.35 generated last year.

    Dosumu spoke when the Customs’ Deputy Comptroller-General in-charge of Research and Policy, Mr.  Augustine Chukwuma Nwosu, visited the zone.

    He told the visiting Customs chief that the Zone is strategic because of the vast area it covers, which has  inland container terminals, excise factories and international airports.

    The zone’s success, Dosumu said, followed the collaboration and good relationship with stakeholders; synergy with other security agencies; good relationship with the host communities; effective supervision and sensitisation of officers to avoid any form of revenue leakages.

    Added was introduction of Pre-Arrival Assessment Report, PAAR by the Controller-General, Alhaji Dikko Abdullahi.

    “Despite its highly rated performance, Zone B of Nigeria Customs Service faces enormous challenges, which include the need for additional Customs Procedure Code (CPC) in some of the Area Commands within the Zone. Zone B also lacks the needed logistics to maintain scanning sites. Moreso, due to security challenges in the Zone, the revenue generation capacity is grossly affected.

    “Mob attacks on officers at dangerous borders within the Zone remain a threat to smooth operation, coupled with incessant strikes by insurgents in most areas covered by Zone B,” he said.

    He, however, said “despite daunting constraints, officers of the Zone have not been deterred in the pursuit of their statutory responsibilities.

    He added: “The officers and men of the Zone are so determined to pursue the goals of maximum revenue collection and suppression of smuggling with commitment in line with the efforts of the Comptroller-General of Customs and his management team.”

    Also, the Area Comptroller of Kano/Jigawa Command, Abbas Umar said his Command has made significant progress between January and June this year.

    “Since I assumed duty in February, 2014, the revenue collection in the Command has been rising steadily. Our revenue target for the year 2014 is N4.2 billion. So far, the Command has generated a total of N2,520,000,000 in the last seven months.

    “In percentage terms, it means we have realised 57 per cent of our revenue target when compared to N1,191,379,068.17, which was collected last year during the same period. Therefore, there is a remarkable improvement. Our successes, therefore, can be attributed to hard-work, dedication and commitments by our officers and men of the Command.”

    Nwosu said he was impressed at the level of progress made by the zone in terms of revenue generation and anti-smuggling activities, despite mounting security and other challenges facing the officers of the zone.

    He promised to ensure that the zone continues to receive needed logistics and other support from the headquarters, and urged officers and men of the zone to shore up their effort in the revenue generation and war against smugglers.

     

  • Nigeria Customs Service: So far, so…

    Nigeria Customs Service: So far, so…

    The Nigeria Customs Service has gone through significant transformation since its creation, but the current Comptroller General (CG) seems to be working to launch the service into a new era of an efficient and effective service. Assistant Editor, Nduka Chiejina, reviews the reign of Abdullahi Dikko Inde as Customs boss

    For an agency founded in 1891 when the former British Colonial administration appointed T. A. Wall as Director-General of Customs for the collection of Inland Revenue in Niger Coast Protectorate, over the years, the Nigeria Customs Service has gone through several metamorphosis occasioned by accusations and the desire to meet its statutory mandate.

    The service’s reputation was marred by numerous corruption and fraud scandals over the years. According to Transparency International’s 2010 Global Corruption Barometer, more than half of local households surveyed attested to paying bribes to NCS officers in 2009.

    To date, complex customs regulations and bureaucracy surrounding the import and export of goods has nurtured an environment in which bribes are alleged to be commonly paid. Several companies are also believed to undervalue their goods upon importation to avoid penalties. Yet other companies, operating in the informal economy, resort to smuggling as a means of avoiding legal trade.

    However, the federal government has moved to correct this negative image, first by appointing a career customs officer, Alhaji Abdullahi Dikko Inde, to head the service with the added mandate to meet set targets or surpass them and clean up the activities and image of the service.

    Dikko Inde has a largely positive reputation within the customs community, having risen through the ranks of the service since entering it at superintendent level in 1988 and rising to become the organisation’s Comptroller General. He is said to have a “distaste” for injustice and gives junior officers their due, regardless of how small a contribution they have made.

    His appointment as head of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has been seen by some within the service as a last-ditch attempt to clear up the image of the unit in which he is known as “Mr Welfare.” His crowning welfare achievement so far is the construction and commissioning of Customs Barracks in Abuja.

    Industry observers have pointed out that in order to get the active buy-in of all officers and men on the current reforms, the Customs Comptroller General (CG) will need to continue to ensure enhanced welfare package through increases in salaries and allowances, adequate housings, due promotions and the purchase of adequate operational equipment.

    Dikko Inde had publicly pledged at a training seminar, “to be steadfast, committed and resolute in this fight no matter how overwhelming the challenges may appear.”

    His efforts appear to be taking effect. The service secured its revenue target for 2011, seen in part to be as a result of an increase in transparency. In addition, 14 officers have also been suspended and their salaries stopped for their involvement in corrupt dealings.

    Following past years’ economic down turn that ravaged world economies, the Nigeria Customs Service, under the current administration, keyed into the global customs body ‘Revenue Package’ (RP), which was developed and is still further developing, to meet the members’ needs and provide technical assistance to support implementation.

    The Nigeria Customs of today is not only innovative, but pro-active, transformative and futuristic, in tandem with the transformation agenda of the government and that of the global body the World Customs Organisation (WCO).

    “No change ever comes without some pains. As we take over these processes, we will anticipate some hiccups at the beginning before we can fully stabilise. Some of these may arise from the sheer volumes of declarations, communication support for our systems or other reputation risks associated with take-over of a project of this magnitude. As a service, we have taken measures to address these risks and manage them to the advantage of our stakeholders,” Dikko Inde said, when the service took over destination inspection.

    Early this year, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) admitted that they had faced challenges in a bid to take over the Destination Inspection Service from contracted Scanning Service Providers (SSPs) as directed by President Goodluck Jonathan. The service, however, said that it was “coping very well and very adequately.”

    According to the service’s Spokesman, Wale Adeniyi, “having taken over the responsibility towards December, an upbeat period and considering the volume of importation for Christmas and New Year, we were able to cope with all the challenges in volume, challenges of putting a new system in place and challenges of mobilising the stakeholders behind the new scheme.”

    This new regime of destination inspection by the NCS promised better management of revenue generation operations, enhanced trade facilitation and better collaboration with other agencies of government to enhance national security.

    Also speaking on the takeover of destination inspection by the NCS on a Channels Television programme, a member of the Freight Forwarders Group at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Ikenna Nwosu, lauded the decision by the federal government to implement the policy, adding that the “organised private sector is fully in support of it” and are “partnering the customs to see it work.”

    With regards to revenue generation, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) announced a revenue generation target of N1.2 trillion in 2014. Dikko Inde said that the customs goal was tailored around trade facilitation.

    According to him, “2014 is a year we have to prove to the federal government that, yes, we have come of age that we have built technological competitors that will stand the test of time. You are very much aware of the revenue target for us this year- it is N1.2trillion.

    “Today, we are not fighting smuggling but we are fighting terrorism. The earlier we start seeing it as the challenges of the Nigeria Customs Service the better. I urge all of you to hold yourselves at alert to save the lives and properties of Nigerians,” he said.

    The Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment and the Nigeria Customs Service have also agreed to strengthen their trade facilitation partnership, in order to enhance the trade between Nigeria and its global partners.

    Dr. Olusegun Aganga urged the Nigeria Customs Service not to be seen only as a revenue generating agency to government, but also an important stakeholder in trade facilitation. “Globally, there is a paradigm shift in the way the customs is seen as not only a revenue generating agency to government, but also a very important stakeholder in the area of trade facilitation,” the Minister noted.

    Despite the successes recorded by the NCS, the activities of smugglers remain a thorn in the flesh of the service. Recently, the Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Akinwunmi  Adeshina, was said to accuse the service of not doing much to curb the smuggling of rice into Nigeria.

  • Reforms in Customs will enhance trade – Jonathan

    Reforms in Customs will enhance trade – Jonathan

    President Goodluck Jonathan on Tuesday in Abuja assured that the ongoing reforms in the Nigerian Customs Service will enhance regional and continental trade and help boost security by curtailing the influx of illegal small arms and light weapons into the country.

    The President, who spoke at an audience with the visiting Secretary General of the World Customs Organization, Mr. Kunio Mikuriya, said the reforms were necessitated by the need to redefine the core values and operations of the service.

    A statement issued by his media aide, Dr. Reuben Abati, said President Jonathan told the visiting WCO chief that with the reforms, the Customs was being progressively modernized and given the additional role of trade facilitation.

    The President said, “I started out my career in the Nigeria Customs Service. Within that period and now, there have been significant changes. The role of the Customs Service as a trade facilitator is becoming more apparent.

    “We promise you that the Nigerian government will continue to support reforms in the Customs. If we do things well, others will emulate us in the region.”

    He congratulated the WCO Secretary General on his re-election to lead the global body, saying the development must have been due to his strong leadership skills.

    Mr. Mikuriya told the President that he had toured ports in Lagos and the Nigeria Customs College, where well motivated staff showed a readiness to learn and deploy new skills in their operations.

    He also met with the business community in Lagos who testified to the positive impact of ongoing reforms in the Customs.

     

  • Customs smashes smuggling ring

    Customs smashes smuggling ring

    The Customs Service has smashed a transborder smuggling ring.

    The gang, which smuggle women and children shoes was ambushed by Customs officials at Mowo near Seme border, last Friday, it was learnt. Shoes worth over N10 million were said to have been seized from the gang.

    Customs officials, it was gathered, monitored the gang for over two days before the clamp down.

    The Seme Customs Command, sources said, has deployed more officers in dealing with the large consignment of foot wears seized from them.

    The smugglers, a source said, use bush paths between Mowo and Badagry to beat the Customs check.

    When The Nation visited Seme last Friday, some Customs officials were opening the bags containing the smuggled goods. The recovered items included new and old women shoes, tins of vegetable oil and children’s wears.

    Contacted, the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Mr Ernest  Olottah, said when the smugglers saw the Customs team approaching, they abandoned the goods and ran into the bush to evade arrest.

    He said the anti-smuggling drive of the Customs was part of the government’s move to protect the economy and prevent the influx of prohibited goods.

    He said: “ By smuggling what Nigeria has the capacity to produce locally, we are inadvertently sustaining the employment of some unknown foreigners elsewhere, while working to also keep some of our able-bodied youths out of job.

    “Our Command is not unaware of the smugglers’ drive to beat us by applying unusual means, especially as we have efficiently and strategically positioned our officers on the bush paths and other likely routes they may wish to take. But the truth is that wherever the smugglers are, we are there monitoring their movement to arrest and prosecute them.”

  • Customs officer kills colleague

    A Deputy Superintendent of Customs, Mr. Tunde Oseni, on Saturday accidentally shot dead a colleague during an operation on the Seme-Badagry Expressway, Lagos.

    The statement issued on Sunday by the Public Relations Officer, Federal Operation Unit Zone “A“ of the Nigeria Customs Service, Mr. Uche Ejesieme, said the death resulted from an “accidental discharge.”

    It said eight officers, led by Oseni, were on patrol on the Seme-Badagry Expressway on Saturday when they intercepted two vehicles loaded with items suspected to be smuggled and prohibited.

    “While the officers attempted to apprehend the suspects alongside with the goods, there was stiff resistance by the suspects which degenerated into a struggle between the officers and the smugglers.

    “In the ensuing confusion, a service pistol in the possession of DSC Oseni, the team leader, accidentally discharged and hit Mr. Baba Mohammed, an Assistant Superintendent of Customs,” the News Agency of Nigeria quoted the Customs as saying in the statement.

    It said Mohammed was immediately rushed to Igando General Hospital where the doctor on duty confirmed him dead.

    The statement said that Oseni had been handed over to the police for further investigation.