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Tag: customs

  • Customs commits to removal of barriers against early clearance of medical goods at ports

    Customs commits to removal of barriers against early clearance of medical goods at ports

    The Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) has declared its readiness to collaborate with health sector partners to address critical barriers affecting the clearance of medical goods at the nation’s ports.

    NCS Comptroller-General (CG), Bashir Adeniyi emphasized the need to address inconsistencies in Customs regulations and implement more transparent and streamlined procedures for handling medical goods at the ports.

    To achieve this, the CG has committed to establishing a Technical Working Committee that will define specific clearance procedures for medical goods and create a checklist to streamline the import process for life-saving medical appliances.

    In addition, the CG revealed that a dedicated Healthcare Desk within the Service has been created.

    These developments emerged over the weekend in Lagos during a Health sector Roundtable Dialogue organized by the Healthcare Federation of Nigeria (HFN) that had in attendance the leadership of the NCS, accompanied by all seven assisting Deputy Comptrollers-General, the Federal Ministry of Finance team led by the Director of the Technical Services Department, Basheer Abdulkadir, and the HFN delegation led by the President, Pamela Ajayi, among others.

    The dialogue, according to the HFN President was aimed at addressing critical issues impacting the healthcare sector with a view to proffering solutions for enhancing healthcare delivery across the nation.

    In his remarks, the CG said: “The Controller General of Customs cannot delegate powers that it does not have, so all those things that are within the power that Customs can exercise, I would be glad for us to have a technical working group.

    “The first low-hanging fruit for us is to come up with a specific clearance procedure for medicaments and things that are associated with life-saving equipment.”

    According to Adeniyi, the importance of creating a standardized checklist to reduce delays in the clearance of medical goods cannot be overemphasized.

    Read Also: NNPC will deliver 2.2 billion Scf to national gas network soon – Kyari

    He added that the Technical Working Committee will focus on identifying and addressing specific issues raised by health sector stakeholders, ensuring a streamlined process that meets international standards and the unique needs of Nigeria’s healthcare system.

    The initiative aims to facilitate the smooth and efficient importation of life-saving medical appliances and other critical health-related goods, ultimately benefiting the health sector and the public at large.

    Adeniyi further emphasized the need for collaboration with relevant stakeholders, such as the Ministry of Finance, the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON), and the Department of State Service (DSS), to ensure efficient and effective regulation and classification of medical imports.

    On his part, the Director of the Technical Services Department at the Federal Ministry of Finance, Abdulkadir, who provided valuable insights into fiscal policies affecting the healthcare sector, such as tariffs and concessions, also expressed commitment to working with the HFN in addressing the concerns of the healthcare sector.

    “We will work with the Healthcare Federation of Nigeria to ensure that the healthcare system, to a large extent, is improved by expediting the importation of goods that are not readily available but essential for citizens’ health.

    “For items that we have the capacity to produce locally, we will protect them from being imported to support local production,” he said.

    Earlier, HFN President, Pamela, noted that the main focus of the roundtable was to foster a productive exchange on crucial challenges affecting the healthcare sector.

    According to her, it is increasingly becoming imperative for the critical stakeholders to comprehensively address the Health sector’s significant hurdles, including poor access to healthcare and high costs for consumers.

    She also emphasized the urgent need for Customs’ support to improve healthcare delivery.

    At the conclusion of the roundtable, Pamela noted that the dialogue marks a significant step towards addressing the pressing challenges in Nigeria’s healthcare sector.

    According to her, the commitments from the NCS are expected to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of healthcare delivery across the country, providing a brighter future for healthcare in Nigeria.

  • CG Adeniyi: Impactful PR in Customs Management

    CG Adeniyi: Impactful PR in Customs Management

    • By Yushau A. Shuaib

      On June 13, 2024, an email from Janice Hills of the International Public Relations Association (IPRA) announced a campaign, “100 Days of Impactful PR at Customs Service”, as a finalist for the 2024 Golden World Award (GWA) in Public Relations. It will now proceed to the second round, where more materials, including documents, relevant web links, images, and videos will be submitted to enable the jury to decide on the winning entries.

      The campaign, a testament to the strategic leadership of the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, was previously honoured with a Certificate of Excellence at the 2024 Africa SABRE Awards, a prestigious recognition at the annual conference of the African Public Relations Association (APRA) in Cote d’Ivoire.

      The campaign chronicled Adeniyi’s innovative approach and the deployment of public relations tactics – during the first 100 days at the helm – as he engaged Nigerians and several stakeholders on the new Customs Act and the Reform Agenda within the sector. The CG assumed office on June 19, 2023.

      A week before handing over to President Bola Tinubu, former President Muhammadu Buhari signed the Nigeria Customs Act, amending it for the first time in over 64 years. This presented Adeniyi the opportunity to raise awareness about the transformative import, value, expenditure, and accountability changes promised by the new Act and the stricter penalties and sanctions for Excise duty violations.

      The Act specifies that appointment of the Comptroller General would no longer be open to non-career individuals, as it empowers the President to appoint a CGC from career-serving officers, provided they hold a rank not lower than that of an Assistant Comptroller General (ACG).

      As a distinguished Fellow and ex-Vice President of the Nigeria Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Adeniyi played a pivotal role in fostering stakeholder collaboration. His efforts were instrumental in aligning the NCS’s core responsibilities with President Tinubu’s priorities in trade facilitation, revenue collection, societal protection, and cooperation. This demonstrates the NCS’s unwavering commitment to national goals.

      Within three months in acting capacity, Adeniyi intensified awareness campaigns through capacity-building programmes, stakeholder engagements, and media interactions. One of the major challenges he faced was managing the trade embargo between ECOWAS member states and Niger Republic after the coup. Amid public outcry over border closures which affected businesses and towns, Adeniyi’s crisis communication involved consultations with community leaders, youth groups, etc, towards providing relief and legitimate options.

      His leadership and managerial skills ensured border security, influenced the citizenry’s compliance with customs reforms, boosted revenue generation and instilled a sense of optimism and hope for the future. It also considerably contributed to the productivity of his management team. Impressed by the unparalleled feat and strategy deployed, President Tinubu confirmed Adeniyi’s appointment as substantive Comptroller General from October 19, 2023.

      Interestingly, Kabir Abdulsalam of PRNigeria and Maryam Na’Allah of Spokespersons Digest, both staff writers at Image Merchants Promotion Limited, studied and documented Adeniyi’s public relations strategies in their forthcoming book titled “Impactful PR in Customs Management.” With a blurb by Vice President Kashim Shettima and a foreword written by Dr. Ike Neliaku (NIPR President), the book highlights well-coordinated PR approaches in leadership and management.

      Read Also: Tinubu keen on peace, security in Niger Delta – PAP boss

      Key aspects covered in the literature include how press coverage and media engagement created required awareness and sensitisation of customs reforms. Similarly, the effect of regular engagement with stakeholders in facilitating interagency cooperation and earning public support is also highlighted. Organised special events through lively interactions and fruitful deliberations have been valuable in promoting the new legislation and other service endeavours.

      The book emphasises more strategies for engagement and communication during crises and recognises the effectiveness of third-party narratives. It focuses on primary PR tools in its twelve chapters – event management, crisis communication, stakeholder engagement, press release writing, social media, lobbying decision-makers, corporate social responsibility, reputation management, in-house publications, employee relations, and media monitoring.

      While the book will be unveiled at the annual Economic Confidential Summit in Abuja in July, the accomplishment of the Customs Service under Tinubu’s administration is quite obvious. Due to Adeniyi’s trade facilitation measures, including 24-hour port decongestion/clearance and removal of multiple checkpoints with dedicated import and export terminals, the NCS has achieved an unprecedented revenue collection of 75%, compared to the previous year.

      Adeniyi, a humble and detribalised Nigerian, has demonstrated inspirational leadership that motivates staff across all levels and backgrounds to strive for excellence and make sacrifices. His selfless attitude has created a culture of unity and dedication, inspiring others to work towards a common goal of serving the national interest.

      Additionally, the Comptroller General’s anti-smuggling efforts, through strengthened partnerships, have led to massive seizures of wildlife products, deadly weapons, and hard drugs, among other contrabands that are injurious to the country’s economy and life of the people.

      Adeniyi’s communication approach and proactive policies have influenced public perception and showcased the tangible benefits of effective PR strategies. The Customs chief’s visionary management has not only transformed the NCS, but also restored trust and elevated its reputation. His PR management indeed has the potential to inspire future leaders to harness the power of strategic communication, leaving a lasting legacy in the industry.

    • ‘Customs generated N4.49tr revenue in one year’

      ‘Customs generated N4.49tr revenue in one year’

      • Seizes 2.93ml of PMS from smugglers
      • Says petrol smuggling is national security threat
      • To create a new joint border post with Benin

      The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Comptroller -General, Adewale Adeniyi yesterday said the revenue collection of the organization grew by 74per cent to hit N4.49trillion in one year.

      Presenting his scorecard of one year in office in Abuja, he recalled the revenue increased from the N2.58trillion recorded in June 2023.

      “Revenue collection. The NCS reported a remarkable 74% growth in revenue collection over the past year, recording a total revenue collection of N 4.49 trillion between June 2023 and May 2024, compared to the N2.58 trillion collected during the corresponding period of the previous year,” he said.

      Adeniyi noted that the achievement was underpinned by a sustained increase of 70.13per cent in  average monthly revenue collection compared to the previous year.

      NCS, according to him, recorded an average monthly revenue collection of N343 billion, compared to the N 202 billion monthly average.

      He said notably, there was a substantial 122.35per cent rise in revenue collection during the first quarter of 2024 compared to the same period in the previous year.

      The Customs boss attributed the increase in revenue to various strategic initiatives, including: N 15 billion Recovery by the Revenue Review Performance Recovery exercise.

      He also based it on the N 2.79 billion recovered from the 90-day window for the regularisation of the documents of uncustomed vehicles.

      Adeniyi added that N 1.5 billion Recovered from the decongestion of 1,705 overtime containers and 981 vehicles from the port was instrumental to the rise in revenue collection.

      He noted that “on June 13, 2024, NCS recorded a daily All-Time-High of N 58.5 billion in revenue collection”

      He also said the deployment of officers to sensitive posts on the basis of merit and capacity was accountable for the feat.

      Adeniyi said in terms of Trade Facilitation, significant achievements have been made, including the decongestion of ports and the reopening of previously inaccessible access roads.

      He said the Service’s anti-smuggling efforts in the past year have intensified, resulting in significant interceptions, high-value seizures, and numerous arrests.

      Read Also: FG approves N280b for completion of Bodo-Bonny road

      He said the Service recorded 63 seizures related to animal and wildlife products valued at ₦566 million.

      The Customs boss added that seven seizures of arms and ammunition were made through our ports and borders.

       In terms of illicit drugs, Adeniyi said, a combined total of 127 cases involving narcotics and pharmaceutical products were seized, valued at over 6 billion.

      He noted that the Service also recorded “724 seizures of 2.93 million litres of PMS (Premium Motor Spirit) that were attempted to be smuggled out of the country.

      The Customs boss said the illegal dealings in petroleum evacuation have garnered the interest of relevant stakeholders.

      He said  revealed that the Service has signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with strategic trade partners like China Customs and recently is working with the Benin Customs to facilitate the creation of a new joint border post along the Segbana-Tsamia border with the Republic of Benin at Kebbi.

      He vowed that Operation Whirlwind will continue to intercept and disrupt the activities of smugglers in this regard.

      Adeniyi said more recently, PMS smuggling has emerged as a potential national security threat.

      He noted that beyond the funding it provides for smugglers, the deprivation of Nigerians’ access to PMS can cause significant disruptions and exacerbate the hardships faced by many.

      He said in a bid to guarantee food security and suppress the smuggling of food in and out of the country, the Service recorded 1,744 cases of rice and grain seizures valued at 4.4 billion.

      These concerted efforts, said Adeniyi, underscore the NCS’s commitment to protecting society and ensuring national security.

      He said going forward, the measures the NCS has implemented, and the results so far, are well-intended and designed to yield positive benefits for the overall well-being of the nation.

      “When the NCS facilitates trade and reduces the costs and encumbrances importers face, it translates to lower costs for importers, which should eventually reflect in price reductions for consumers. “While these gains may experience some lag due to factors beyond our control, such as transportation, infrastructure, and information asymmetry, we remain committed to our role.

      “This is why the NCS is also focused on plugging leakages and improving revenue collection to support the funding of the government’s objectives and initiatives to build and upgrade infrastructure and invest in other essential schemes, including social welfare,” he added.

      He said Customs mandate to protect society should be seen in the context of mitigating the damaging effects of illicit substances like codeine and cannabis indica on the productive youth of Nigeria.

      He added that similarly, intercepting the entry of arms and ammunition is crucial in preventing the worsening of our national security situation.

      Unchecked smuggling of prohibited items, said Adeniyi, not only fuels illegal activities but also strengthens unscrupulous individuals who seek to destabilize the peace, security, and prosperity of the country.

      The Customs boss said the performance report is not oblivious of the challenges that Nigerians face and reassured that  with  the support of the Minster of Finance, NCS is working in close collaboration with the Central Bank of Nigeria to achieve a stable exchange rate rate for import of goods to enable business plan activities.

      He vowed that NCS will continue to work with relevant national and international agencies to share intelligence and develop structured frameworks to ensure that those seeking to disrupt the peace and stability of the nation do not go unpunished.

      On food inflation, the Comptroller -General pledged that the Service will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that business of food hoarders is unprofitable.

      On Compliance with Customs Laws, according to him, the Service constantly reviewing its processes in line with the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2024 to ensure that leakages are blocked and offenders of Customs laws are made to face the full penalty and the wrath of the law. He said NCS is engaging relevant stakeholders to ensure that the deliverable of the customs modernisations are met as the Service continues to phase out manual processes with automation

      On Trade Agreements, Adeniyi said NCS is working closely with relevant stakeholders to ensure that the implementation of trade agreements like the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) yields the desired benefits to Nigerians.

    • Customs generates N4.49tr revenue in one year

      Customs generates N4.49tr revenue in one year

      The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Comptroller-General Adewale Adeniyi said the revenue collection of the organization grew by 74% to hit N4.49trillion in one year.

      Presenting his scorecard of one year in office in Abuja, he recalled the revenue increased from the N2.58trillion recorded in June 2023.

      “Revenue collection. The NCS reported a remarkable 74% growth in 

      revenue collection over the past year, recording a total revenue collection

      of N 4.49 trillion between June 2023 and May 2024, compared to the N

      2.58 trillion collected during the corresponding period of the previous year,” he said.

      Adeniyi noted that the achievement was underpinned by a sustained increase of 70.13% in  average monthly revenue collection compared to the previous year.

      Read Also: Drug barons recruiting Customs officers, others – Customs boss 

      NCS, according to him, recorded an average monthly revenue collection of N343 billion, compared to the N 202 billion monthly average. 

      He said notably, there was a substantial 122.35% rise in revenue collection during the first quarter of 2024 compared to the same period in the previous year.

      The Customs boss attributed the increase in revenue to various strategic initiatives, including: N 15 billion Recovery by the Revenue Review Performance Recovery exercise.

      He also based it on the N 2.79 billion recovered from the 90-day window for the regularisation of the documents of uncustomed vehicles.

      Adeniyi added that N 1.5 billion Recovered from the decongestion of 1,705 overtime containers and 981 vehicles from the port was instrumental to the rise in revenue collection.

      He noted:  “On June 13, 2024, NCS recorded a daily All-Time-High of N 58.5 billion in revenue collection.”

      He also said the deployment of officers to sensitive posts on the basis of 

      merit and capacity was accountable for the feat.

      Adeniyi said in terms of trade facilitation, significant achievements have been made, including the decongestion of ports and the reopening of previously inaccessible access roads. 

    • Drug barons recruiting Customs officers, others – Customs boss 

      Drug barons recruiting Customs officers, others – Customs boss 

      The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Adewale Adeniyi has revealed that drug barons are increasingly recruiting customs officers and officials of bonded terminals into their drug trafficking operations to evade security checks.

      Speaking at an event showcasing a major drug seizure at the Tin-Can Port, Adeniyi emphasised that those involved would face severe legal consequences.

      Adeniyi said that the NCS had made significant progress in identifying such corrupt elements within and outside the service who facilitated the movement of drug consignments without proper examination.

      Read Also: Customs chief vows probe of officers conniving with smugglers

      During the weekend, Adeniyi displayed approximately N4.2bn worth of seized hemp, highlighting that the NCS was intensifying its scrutiny on the activities of “unscrupulous customs officers” to eliminate them from the system, noting that some indicted officers were found to be collaborating with bonded terminal operators to expedite the clearance of drug shipments.

      He said:“I assure you that the service will soon name, shame and arrest those involved. The modus operandi of the syndicate involves moving imported containers from the port on transit without proper examination, diverting them to private premises instead of bonded warehouses.”

      He acknowledged the collaborative efforts of sister agencies, particularly the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in combating drug trafficking.

    • Customs’ revealing statistics

      Customs’ revealing statistics

      Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) last week, unveiled startling data on activities of smugglers of petrol around the border states of the country.

      Its Comptroller-General, Adewale Adeniyi while updating the nation on the activities of his agency raised alarm over the renewed smuggling of petrol to neighbouring countries following what he called, the massive hike in the price of the product in those countries. He bandied comparative prices of the product in neighbouring countries and the region to back up his claim.

      Hear him: “While PMS is sold at an average of N701.99 in Nigeria, it is sold at an average of N1,672.05 in the Republic of Benin and N2,061.55 in Cameroon. In other countries around the region, the price of PMS ranges from N1,427.68 in Liberia to N2,128.20 in Mali, averaging  N1,787.57 according to fuel price data obtained from Opensource”.

      That is not all. He further reeled out statistics from the National Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) on the average daily evacuation of petrol to various states of the country to buttress the smuggling trend. The data shows significant changes in evacuation patterns that are not justified by corresponding economic and demographic changes in states that share contiguous borders with neighbouring countries.

      According to the figures, between April and May, Borno and Kebbi states recorded 76 and 59 per cent increases in evacuations ranking among the top three states. Katsina also recorded more than 50 per cent increase in evacuation raising concerns on the actual delivery of petrol and the potential for smuggling.

      Read Also: Customs: Non-intrusive, physical inspections can earn Apapa N2.3tr

      As a response to this nagging trend, the agency in collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser, ONSA initiated what they called “Operation Whirlwind”. The objective is to dismantle the smuggling cartel and save the nation from the economic and social repercussions that unlawful activity entails. The operation NCS said, paid off handsomely with the arrests and confiscation of smuggled petrol.

      Within seven days, Operation Whirlwind intercepted 150, 950 litres of fuel valued at N105,965,391 in various states nationwide. These included Adamawa, Sokoto, Cross River, Ogun, Katsina, Kebbi and Taraba. That was not all. Other seizures amounting to humongous sums of money were equally made.

      It is good a thing the NCS with the assistance of the NMDPRA is monitoring fuel evacuations across the country. It has gone ahead to initiate measures in conjunction with the ONSA to check the rising smuggling of petrol around border states. That some of these states have in the last couple of months, been receiving fuel evacuations that defy demographic and economic reasoning can only be explained by the allure of smuggling.

      Smuggling around our porous and largely unmanned borders is not entirely new. It thrives because of the inability of those in authority to police the borders and unmask the unpatriotic cartel behind the economic sabotage. Smuggling and illegal oil lifting deny the country of the much needed revenue for its development.

      Perhaps, the new initiative by the NCS and the ONSA marks a renewed awareness on the harm which that act of economic sabotage has wrought on the national economy. That is why every effort must be deployed to ensure that the new campaign is sustained and results achieved.

      But the campaign may not achieve its goal without the collaboration of the local population and the traditional institutions in the border states. The smuggling routes are well known to the indigenous people and the traditional institutions in the border states. These groups should be identified and their collaboration sought in stemming the tide of smuggling.

      There should be serious monitoring of the destinations of the delivery trucks. With effective monitoring, diversion will be put to effective check. It will also bar fraudulent officials and their collaborators from ordering supplies that will end up in phoney destinations.

      Here, the job of the security agencies comes into serious calculation. If the speculation that security agencies now accompany delivery trucks to border states are true, the measure should be further reinforced to nip smuggling of petrol in the bud.

      But the observed increase in smuggling of petrol around border states as monitored by the NCS and NMDPRA are as revealing as they are troubling. More than anything, they touch on the controversies that had overtime dogged the fuel subsidy regime. At issue has been the domestic consumption of petrol.

      The most potent argument usually put forward to justify subsidy removal has been the large quantity of petrol consumed domestically. Though the figures have never lent themselves to exactitude, but officials of the government have always argued that the huge savings from subsidy removal will catalyse quantum development when injected into the national economy.

      The argument is that we consume large quantities of petrol daily and a lot of money will be realised from subsidy elimination. This, the promoters of subsidy removal contend will ultimately lead to public good. 

      But this line of argument has always elicited the concomitant question of the precise amount of local fuel consumption for the larger picture to come clearer. That information has remained within the realm of speculation.

      The question has resonated with the revelations from the NCS and NMDPRA. Their records of sporadic rise in the supply of petrol to border states when there are no observed changes in economic and demographic indices, point inexorably to the fact that domestic estimation of fuel consumption may have been largely exaggerated. And any calculations based on such distorted figures will remain largely illusory.

      That is the issue to contend with. It is loaded with the frightening prospects of distorting all the calculations of the government on the quantum of revenue generation from fuel subsidy removal and investments it can generate. That is the startling danger the high incidence of petrol smuggling in border states brings to the fore.

      But smuggling around the border states either of petrol or other essential products are not entirely new developments. They have always been there. The difference in prices between goods produced locally and their counterparts in border countries is the oxygen that sustains the illicit business. The same logic has all these years, been the basis for the campaign on subsidy removal either of petrol or electricity. So the issues raised by the NCS are not entirely new.

      They have always been part of the calculations. And if the price of the product in neighbouring states is influenced by our local price adjustments, there is everything to expect that prices will be higher in those countries now fuel sells for about N900 in some states of the country.

      But the floating of comparative pricing in such other African countries as Liberia and Mali etc., which do not share borders with Nigeria, is an entirely different kettle of fish. The intention of the NCS boss in factoring these into his comparative engagement is not known. But they strike as sad reminders to the type of strategies deployed each time a government seeks to increase the price of petrol.

      It is scary that we are at it again. Coming at a time a former governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai and oil marketers had alleged the government is still paying subsidy more than before, the comparison is suspicious. Though the federal government denied the allegation by El-Rufai, comparisons portraying the country as paying the cheapest price for petrol are highly suggestive.

      This is not the time for such reminders even if the data floated are collaborative. With the excruciating cost of living brought about by liberalisation measures, nothing should be done to exacerbate an already fluid situation.

      The NCS should concentrate its efforts in fighting the menace of smuggling around our border states. It is obvious from the figures released, that Nigerians consume far less amount of petrol than is ordinarily attributed to them. Its message is clear.

       If the current fight is waged to its logical conclusion, it may be possible to know our domestic fuel consumption. Then, the accruable revenue from subsidy removal will become clearer. It may then dawn on us that much of the so-called subsidy ends up in the pockets of the cartel neck-deep in trans-border smuggling of the product.

    • JUST IN: Customs seizes 280,135 litres of petrol in Adamawa

      JUST IN: Customs seizes 280,135 litres of petrol in Adamawa

      The Comptroller-General of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Bashir Adeniyi, has blamed the widespread smuggling of petrol from Nigeria to neighbouring countries on the higher cost of the product in those countries.

      The Customs boss also announced in Yola, Adamawa state, the seizure of the product from smugglers amounting to a total 280,135 litres of litres worth N196,524,076 in different parts of the country.

      The controller-general was at the Adamawa/Taraba Area Command headquarters of the NCS in Yola on Monday specifically to address the media on activities of Customs’ ‘Operations Whirl Wind’ which was launched two weeks ago to tackle smuggling of petrol from Nigeria.

      Breaking down the figures, the Controller-General said that under Operation Whirl Wind, the NCS seized 150,950 litres worth N105,965,391 while the various area commands of the service in their various routine operations intercepted a total of 129,185 litres worth N90,558,685.

      He said, “Within seven days of intensive operations (by Operations Whirl Wind), a total of 150,950 litres of PMS (petrol) valued at N105,965,391 has been intercepted at various locations nationwide. “

      On seizures made through routine operations of the various commands of the NCS, the NCS boss explained that federal operating units and marine commands intercepted a total of 129,185 litres of fuel valued at N90,558,685.

      Read Also: ‘Customs can meet N2.3tr target through non-intrusive, physical inspections’

      He said fuel snuggling out of Nigeria had become so widespread because the average cost of the product in neighbouring countries is much higher than what is applicable in Nigeria.

      He explained: “Comparative studies show that fuel prices in Nigeria remain the cheapest when compared to other countries in the West and Central African region. While petrol is sold at an average of N701.99 in Nigeria, it is sold at an average of N1,672.05 in the Republic of Benin and N2,061.55 in Cameroon.

      “In other countries around the region, the price of PMS ranges from N1,427.68 in Liberia to N2,128.20 in Mali, averaging N1,787.57.”

      He asserted that cross-border diversion of fuel which has become so lucrative for smugglers because of such price disparity is an economic sabotage that the NCS cannot condone.

    • ‘Customs can meet N2.3tr target through non-intrusive, physical inspections’

      ‘Customs can meet N2.3tr target through non-intrusive, physical inspections’

      The Apapa Command of the the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has said it can meet this year’s target of N2.3 trillion with the application of modern customs practices like non-intrusive inspection and physical examination.

      The Customs Area Controller for Apapa Area Command, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu, stated this at the weekend in Lagos, according to a statement by the NCS headquarters in Abuja.

      Olumu said since trade facilitation and strategic interventions could affect revenue leakages, the command could hit the revenue target.

      In its first quarter breakdown for the accomplishment of the N2.3 trillion, the command timeline said it eyed N8.9 billion daily, N44 billion weekly, and N193 billion monthly.

      Olomu noted that the “adoption of non-intrusive inspection technology not only expedites cargo examination but also mitigates the risk of duty evasion, thereby safeguarding government revenue”.

      In line with the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) of the NCS, the Apapa Command has blocked several financial leakages to improve revenue generation.

      Read Also: Police kill three bandits in Katsina, rescue kidnap victims

      Its basic tools have been the deployment of scanners and physical examinations that have resulted in the detection of duty evasion.

      Olumu noted that since people across the world are mostly reluctant to pay their taxes, they are usually compelled to do so by government agencies.

      The comptroller said the command had been responsible for ensuring appropriate payment of tax to the Federal Government.

      He added that the command always intervened to stop revenue leakages through appropriate interventions.

      Olumu said: “The command’s diligence in checking declarations and consignments using non-intrusive technology (scanning) and physical examinations has rattled non-compliant traders who resort to blackmail and other tactics to compromise or dampen the morale of officers.

      “However, the officers are loyal in carrying out their duties.

      “As the command raises queries on suspicious consignments, compliant traders have no reason to fear, as the command prioritises not just revenue generation but also trade facilitation.”

    • Customs: Non-intrusive, physical inspections can earn Apapa N2.3tr

      Customs: Non-intrusive, physical inspections can earn Apapa N2.3tr

      With the application of modern customs practices like non-intrusive inspection and physical examination, the Customs Area Controller of Apapa Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) can realize its 2024 N2.3 trillion revenue target.

      The Customs Area Comptroller of Apapa Area Command, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu, made this known in Apapa, Lagos at the weekend.

      This was contained in a press statement the NCS Headquarters issued to the nation in Abuja on Sunday, June 9.

      Olumu said since trade facilitation and strategic interventions can prune revenue leakages, the command can hit the revenue target.

      In its first quarter breakdown for the accomplishment of the N2.3 trillion, the command timeline says it eyes N8.9 trillion daily, N44 billion weekly and N193 billion monthly.

      He stressed that the “adoption of non-intrusive inspection technology not only expedites cargo examination but also mitigates the risk of duty evasion, thereby safeguarding government revenue.”

      In line with the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) of the NCS, the Command has blocked several financial leakages to improve revenue generation.

      Its basic tools have been the deployment of scanners and physical examinations that have resulted in the detection of duty evasion.

      Olumu, however, noted that since people are mostly reluctant to pay globally, they are usually compelled to comply. 

      The Comptroller said the command has been responsible for ensuring appropriate payment of tax to the Federal Government.

      He added that the command has always intervened to stop revenue leakages with appropriate interventions. 

      Olumu, according to the statement, said: “The command’s diligence in checking declarations and consignments using non-intrusive technology (scanning) and physical examinations has rattled non-compliant traders, who resort to blackmail and other tactics to compromise or dampen the morale of officers. However, the officers are loyal in carrying out their duties.

      “As the command raises queries on suspicious consignments, compliant traders have no reason to fear, as the command prioritizes not just revenue generation but also trade facilitation.”

      The Comptroller said to hasten cargo delivery, decongest port terminals, and reduce gridlock on the port access road, the command has intensified engagements with barge operators and terminal operators in partnership with other area commands in the corridor. 

      This collaboration, he said, aims to convey cargoes on the water, which is faster than transporting them on the roads.

      He explained that containers are randomly selected for scanning, making it impossible for officers to influence the process.

      “Non-intrusive inspection (scanning) is a globally recognized technology aimed at preventing duty evasion, a common practice among some Nigerian traders,” he said.

      Olumu clarified the essence of scanning and the importance of physical examination.

      He said, “One thing to note about the issue of delay is part of our SOP. There are limitations the scanners have.

      “There are things the scanners can do and cannot do. We have made this known to the general public.

      “Even the stakeholders are aware. Firstly, the scanners cannot classify items. It can only reveal what those items are and what we deal with is imagery.

      “We don’t deal with pictorial images to describe or interpret those consignments.

      “There are certain items, particularly items like chemicals that can fall under their regulations that will require EUC.

      “They could have some kind of radioactive materials in them that would require repositioning to see the material physically instead of just seeing them image-wise.

      “Such consignments are the consignments I think the agents are complaining about and we need to check. Sometimes, we have heterogeneous items.

      “When you have heterogeneous items mixed up with other items that can be classified differently from what the original items are, we will subject them to into physical check even if the description suits the analyst.

      “There are instances when doing the documentation when studying the document very well, there are things that might not likely fit in with where we are trying to place the heading to be able to maximize the collection of revenue. In such circumstances, those containers would be subjected to physical check but not in all cases.

      “It is just on random and few occasions on those ones we feel that have not given us a correct description.

      “Such containers are alerted either by valuation or query requiring detailed information about that container.

      “There is a need for us to subject them to physical check so that verifications and correct information will be imputed for necessary value appraisal. That is just all we do here.

      “Scanning has a SOP. Your book, scan, the analyst analyses. The analysts are not robots. They are humans and they are bound to make certain mistakes. They can demand for physical check

      “It is still in the process of scanning until finally validated and released. That is where the process ends.

      “As far as you lodge your consignments, until it goes out of customs processes, the container can be determined clear enough.

      “Just passing the preliminary stage of scanning and analysing does not give the cargo a hundred percent for release or deem it perfect for release. It is an operational issue that is subject to review as time goes on.”

    • Customs generates N1.34tr in Q1 2024, loses N318b to waivers

      Customs generates N1.34tr in Q1 2024, loses N318b to waivers

      The Comptroller General (CG) of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Adewale Adeniyi, yesterday said the Service has generated N1.34 trillion in the first quarter of 2024. He added that N318 billion was conceded to exemptions, waivers and concessions granted to companies in the same period, while 478 seizures amounting to N1.9 trillion were made by its operatives in the period under review.

      He made this known while appearing before the House of Representatives Committee on Finance in the ongoing probe to monitor revenue by Ministries, Departments and Agencies of the Federal Government.

      Adeniyi said with a projected revenue target of N1.269 trillion for the first quarter of 2024, the agency surpassed its revenue target by N77 billion. He said the agency has a revenue target of N5.079 trillion for the year 2024.

      He pointed out that the suspension of excise policy on carbonated drinks, single used plastics, telecommunication and others in the 2024 fiscal policy measures, adversely affected revenue generation by the agency.

      “The monthly expected average revenue target stood at N423,255,822,173.79; the collection for January recorded a shortfall of 7.66 per cent on the target while February denoted an excess of 6.37 per cent and, the month of March equally represented a positive variance of 19.71 per cent of its respective monthly estimates. On aggregate, within the first quarter of 2024, with the total projected revenue of N1,269,767,466,521.38, the sum of N1,347,705,251,658.31 was collected, which recorded a significant improvement of 6.14 per cent higher than the periodic target,” Adeniyi explained.

      Read Also: Customs generates N1.34tr in Q1 2024, concedes N318bn to waivers

      He said the service performed remarkably well in terms of revenue generation within the first quarter of 2024 with 6.14 percent above the periodic target. He said said the Customs’ contribution to the annual revenue target as at March 31, 2024, stood at 26.53 per cent. He added that the trade balance was positive at an advantage of 84.58 per cent.

      Adeniyi further revealed that the volume of cargo throughput has reduced compared to previous year. He blamed the volatility of the exchange rate for the development.

      “The volume of cargo that has been coming to our port in the first quarter which has dropped by about 5.14 per cent of what we saw in 2023. The cargo throughput has reduced because of the volatility of the exchange rate and value of dollar. The reduction in volume of cargo has impacted our revenues,” he said.

      The Deputy Chairman of the Committee, Saidu Abdullahi, said customs would have generated more income for Nigeria’s consolidated revenue fund in the first quarter without the waivers and concessions arrangements.

      While commending the agency for surpassing its quarterly revenue target, Abdullahi, urged the service to do more. “I must encourage you to do more. I can see a man that knows his worth. But you can do well. You said your target is N5 trillion but you can make it N6 trillion and the whole country will celebrate you,” Abdullahi said.