The Nation Newspaper

Tag: customs

  • Embark on e-transactions, Customs urged

    The National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) has urged the Nigeria Customs Service to embark on paperless transactions at the ports to reduce human contact and corruption.

    The Chairman, Tin Can Island Chapter of the association, Chief Austin Ekweozor, said paperless transactions would facilitate trade, eliminate corruption and promote efficiency.

    The NAGAFF chief said his association was ready to support the Customs in becoming IT-compliant, adding that it would help them separate the professionals from the quacks at the ports.

    “I see the ongoing movement for paperless transaction as a very good reform that can help this country. It will help our operations to improve, because carrying papers about does not help the system, but when you have your payment receipts and your print-outs, all the information you carry will be in the system and this will minimise the corrupt practices we are witnessing in  this country.

    “The introduction of the scheme will help us to know who is the agent and who are the touts in the port, if you cannot access Customs server and key into their system to perfect your document by yourself as an agent, then, it will show the type of job you do at the port as a real agent or quack,” he said.

    Ekweozor listed the merits of e-transaction, as  elimination of alterations on bill of lading and other importation documents, among others.

    He said paperless transactions would make officials of Customs, shipping companies and terminal operators more professional.

    “The last meeting we had with the CAC Tin Can, he told us they are working towards expanding the server to reduce the problems they usually have with it.

    “He promised us that they will invite expatriates that will look into the system to make sure that the capacity of information loaded into the server will be accumulated without any server failure. We are therefore, looking up to Customs to introduce the paperless scheme to their efficiency,” Ekweozor said.

  • Ogun customs posts N6b revenue, reads riot act to smugglers

    The Ogun State Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has disclosed that it recorded revenue of N6 billion in 2014.

    Addressing journalists during the end of the year briefing in Idiroko,Ogun State, the Area Controller, Mr Haruna Mamudu, attributed the impressive performance in the command’s revenue generation drive and anti-smuggling campaign to the diligence and commitment of his men.

    He said: ” In detailing the activity for the period under review (December 2013-November 2014), the command collected N6,467,642,587.83, as against N5,390,662,512.53 collected same period in 2013. This shows a difference of N1, 076,980,075.00 and it is remarkable because this kind of revenue mark has never been attained in the command.

    “In the anti-smuggling canpaign, the command recorded 1,482 seizures between December 2013-November 2014, with Duty Paid Value(DPV) of N1,568,533,843.00 as against 1,226 seizures with duty paid value of N1,142,018,383.00 the command recorded in the same period in the year 2013. This shows a progressive seizure difference of 256 seizures with DPV of N426, 515,460.00.”

    He attributed the huge success recorded to the “quantum leap of the imported vehicles on which import duties were collected, which hitherto were smuggled into the country without payment of import duties and taxes. The unscrupulous importers are now reconditioned by the effective anti-smuggling campaign since I took over the affairs of the command in December 2013.”

    Mamudu explained that the anti-smuggling measures of the command had forced smugglers to resort to lawful declaration of imports and subsequent duty payment instead of risking seizure of their goods.

    He disclosed that five new operational vehicles have been given to the command to boost and enhance its operations.

    “It is noteworthy, that the present dynamic Nigeria Customs Service (NIS) is doing its very best to take the service to the next level. I am, therefore, delighted to announce to you that five new Hilux vehicles were recently allocated to the command for its operations and I want to thank the Comptroller General of Customs, Mr Dikko Abdullahi Inde, for this gesture. Let me use this forum to sound a note of warning to smugglers in Ogun State that we are now more equipped to tackle them, unless they renounce their illegitimate business of smuggling.”

  • Customs, agents lose N50m daily to terminal closure

    Customs, agents lose N50m daily to terminal closure

    The Murtala Muhammed International Airport Command, Nigerian Customs Service  (NCS) and clearing agents yesterday lost over N50 million as revenue over the closure of the cargo terminal at the airport on the orders of the Federal Government.

    The N50 million loss is the revenue that would have accrued to both the clearing agents and the Customs for clearance of imported and exported goods through the  airport.

    Addressing reporters yesterday, the chairman of the Lagos Airport branch of the Association of  Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents ( ANCLA), Mr  Alloy  Emeka Igwe described the continued closure of the cargo terminal by customs as insensitive, as the crisis that emanated at the airport is not beyond resolution.

    He decried the deployment of military personnel to the cargo section of the airport who manhandled clearing agents by shooting sporadically into the air.

    Igwe said many clearing agents sustained injuries from the gun shots carried out by officers of the Federal Operations Unit (FOU) of the NCS.

    He said the alleged attack on the Customs Area Comptroller of the Lagos Airport Command was not carried out by licensed clearing agents, arguing that miscreants could have taken advantage of the crisis.

    The chairman said the major challenge is access control into the cargo area, which is handled by security personnel attached to the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).

    He described as untrue,  information making the round that licensed customs agents forced their way into the bulk breaking area.

    Igwe said:” What happened yesterday at the cargo terminal was a clear case of professional disagreement between the agents and Customs which was not managed properly

    “The situation could not have degenerated into the militarisation and sporadic shootings carried out by officials of the FOU, which deployed armed personnel carrier to the airport. We share our sympathy with the customs comptroller who was allegedly manhandled. We have issues with our operational base, where the exit gate is very porous, there is easy access into the terminal , which could have given room to hoodlums to take advantage of the situation to carry out unauthorised activities.

  • Customs rakes in over N79b in Apapa, Seme

    The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Apapa Area Command has generated about N78.6 billion in the third quarter of the year the Comptroller, Eporwei Edike, has said.

    Edike, told The Nation, that N30.5 billion was generated in September, while N22.7 billion and N25.5 billion came in July and August, respectively.

    Also, the Seme Command of the Service added N963.7m revenue in September.

    The amount generated by the two commands is well over N79 billion.

    The Command’s Public Relation Officer (PRO), Ernest Olottah, said the revenue was N182 million higher than the N781 million generated in August.

    He attributed the increase to higher trading activities and reduction of smuggling activities in the area.

    “In the month of September, the Command generated higher revenue because trading activities were higher than in the previous months.

    “Willy Egbudin, the Customs Area Controller of the Command, has deployed all personnel and available logistics on intensive vehicular and foot patrols along the border lines and all routes, including non-motorable areas.

    “These patrols and other anti-smuggling activities are paying off as unrepentant smugglers are fleeing the area.

    “Also, we are heading towards the tail end of the year so trading activities would increase and this would enable us to surpass our monthly target of N1.1 billion,” he said.

    He said the revenue generated in  September was the highest monthly collection made by the Command between 2013 and 2014, adding that the Command would realise the N13bn revenue target for the current year.

    He said the Command made 31 seizures in the month under review, including rice, vehicles, narcotics, frozen poultry products and general goods.

  • Customs intercepts 2,000 cartons of frozen goods

    Customs intercepts 2,000 cartons of frozen goods

    The Oyo/Osun Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Services (NCS) has intercepted imported poultry products worth over N14million concealed in two trucks at the Bakatari axis of the Ibadan-Abeokuta Expressway.

    The Command last Thursday intercepted over 40 vehicles loaded with over 2000 bags of rice at Abaja forest, near Igbeti in Olorunsogo Local Government of Oyo State.

    The Deputy Controller, Usman Buwa, said the seizure was made by a task force, led by Assistant Comptroller Mohammed Adamu Ibrahim, on September 11 at 4.30am.

    The seized products, consisting of frozen turkey and chicken, according to Buwa, were imported from Brazil.

    He said the importation of banned poultry products must be discouraged, stating that poultry product remained on the list of contrabands.

    “As we all know, poultry products are prohibited by the Federal Government. The reason behind the ban is to protect local poultry farmers.

    “Also, consumption of imported poultry products is injurious to health. This is not only due to period of long storage, but also the chemical used in its preservation and the long distance it covered before coming into this country.

    “This seizure is from Brazil, so you can imagine the distance it covered before it got here.

    “So, we will continue to advise the general public to stop buying imported poultry products, so as to discourage smuggling,” Buwa said.

  • Customs loses over N25b to duty waivers

    The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) lost over N25.8 billion to waivers and exemption between January and May, The Nation has learnt.

    The Federal Government was said to have granted the waivers and exemptions to mining, construction, power, agriculture and health concerns.

    Sources said the Customs was unable to collect the revenue on the items on which there were  waivers, adding that it lost N55.96 billion, N55.34 billion and N59.42 billion to import waivers in 2011, 2012 and last year.

    But, an official of the Ministry of Finance, who asked not to be named, said the Federal Government granted the waivers because of the need to improve the agriculture/mining sectors and medical services, in addition to increasing power generation, promoting family planning, and raising the standard of education.

    A source said Indorama Eleme Fertiliser and Chemicals Limited got N10.5 billion waiver, it is the highest beneficiary.

    A breakdown of the amount, it was learnt, showed that N6.96 billion was waived for Indorama on machinery, equipment and spare parts; the balance was waived on fertiliser catalysts and chemical pile.

    Chevron Nigeria Limited is the second highest beneficiary with N4.87 billion waived on machinery, equipment and pipelines; followed by Galaxy Backbone, with N2.49 billion on Information and Communications Technology equipment.

    United Cement Company of Nigeria and NIPCO Plc also got waivers of N1.91 billion and N1.02 billion for the importation of machinery, equipment and spare parts.

    Other major beneficiaries are the Borno State Government, which got N984.79 million waiver for agricultural machinery and Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors without borders), N568 million for medical supplies.

    Justifying the waivers, the official said they were incentives used to support the private sector because of some of the regulatory challenges in the domestic business environment.

    According to him, the sectors that benefited from waivers are hospitality, power, aviation, agricultural machinery, solid minerals equipment, gas-using equipment, steel and manufacturing.

    “There are also additional programmes, such as the Export Expansion Grant Scheme designed to promote non-oil exports. These sectors are seen as strategic areas, which can stimulate growth, support diversification of the Nigerian economy, and create jobs for Nigerians.

    “In the past, waivers were granted to individual businesses in an approach that resulted in rent-seeking behaviours and an uneven playing field for other businesses. It was precisely the need to stop such a discretionary approach that led to reforms by the Economic Management Team under the leadership of President Goodluck Jonathan.

    “A sector-wide waiver policy was introduced to provide specific incentives for some strategic, job-creating sectors. Under this regime, all businesses in a sector have access to the same incentives.

    “In addition, some waivers and exemptions make up for gaps in our economy; for example, waivers to bring in vehicles for sporting events and conferences,” the official said.

    When asked to speak on the implication of the waivers on the amounts that should go to the Federation Account and the seven per cent revenue that must accrue to Customs, he said: “We have to weigh the balance between putting money into the Federation Account, collecting Customs revenues and providing jobs for the army of the youth in the country by providing the necessary incentives to private sector operators to stimulate growth and development. The government felt it has responsibility to perform in terms of job creation and see to the local production of some of the goods we consume as nation.”

  • Customs seizes container laden with expired drugs in Lagos

    The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) yesterday intercepted a container laden with expired drugs and other pharmaceutical  items at the  Lagos port.

    The items were seized at the Port and Terminal Multipurpose Services Limited (PTML), Tin-can Island Port, by its Area Comptroller, Mr Folorunsho Adegoke.

    He said the container was shipped into the country from the United States (U.S.) by a non-governmental oganisation (NGO)  as personal effect discovered during physical examination  by  his men.

    According to the Adegoke, the NGO  was given duty waiver to import the items as donation but expressed shock when it discovered that most of the imported medicines have expired, while few were on the brinks of expiration.

    It was discoverd that majority of the imported drugs have expiry date of  2011, 2012 and April 30 this year.

    The imported items included Shiley 6 DCT, Syringe, Novaplus, hand gloves, N-92 particulate respirators, Argon, Nanny clothes, Leparoscopy pack, crape bandages, wheel chairs, Monochrome printer, computers, hospital mattresses , furniture, lab equipment among others.

    The items were imported into the country in container number CCNU 47007745GI.,

    Adegoke,  who displayed the items, said the drugs were  mixed up with medical equipment and other items in a 40 foot container.

    Although, the area comptroller did not give the value of the items,  sources close to the Command alleged that it was over N20million.

    Speaking on the occasion, the Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Paul Orhii, who was represented by the Director, Port Inspection, Moreen  Ebigbeyi said the agency has taken over the items inside the container for destruction, promising that the importer will not go unpunished.

    She said the agency was happy that Customs intercepted the expired drugs at port because it would be harmful to Nigerians if allowed to be cleared by the dubious U.S. importer.

    She said the NGO got approval for the importation of specific drugs that would expire in 2015 and beyond but went ahead to bring expired drugs into the country.

    “It is very expensive to destroy drugs abroad because of the environmental laws and that is why the items were shipped into our country. The Federal Government will not pay for the destruction of these drugs, the importer will pay for it,” she said.

  • Customs loses over N25b to duty waivers

    The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) lost over N25.8 billion to waivers and exemption between January and May, The Nation has learnt.

    The Federal Government was said to have granted the waivers and exemptions to mining, construction, power, agriculture and health concerns.

    Sources said the Customs was unable to collect the revenue on the items on which there were  waivers, adding that it lost N55.96 billion, N55.34 billion and N59.42 billion to import waivers in 2011, 2012 and last year.

    But, an official of the Ministry of Finance, who asked not to be named, said the Federal Government granted the waivers because of the need to improve the agriculture/mining sectors and medical services, in addition to increasing power generation, promoting family planning, and raising the standard of education.

    A source said Indorama Eleme Fertiliser and Chemicals Limited got N10.5 billion waiver, it is the highest beneficiary.

    A breakdown of the amount, it was learnt, showed that N6.96 billion was waived for Indorama on machinery, equipment and spare parts; the balance was waived on fertiliser catalysts and chemical pile.

    Chevron Nigeria Limited is the second highest beneficiary with N4.87 billion waived on machinery, equipment and pipelines; followed by Galaxy Backbone, with N2.49 billion on Information and Communications Technology equipment.

    United Cement Company of Nigeria and NIPCO Plc also got waivers of N1.91 billion and N1.02 billion for the importation of machinery, equipment and spare parts.

    Other major beneficiaries are the Borno State Government, which got N984.79 million waiver for agricultural machinery; the Globe Motors for 290 units of motor vehicles used during the World Economic Forum; and Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors without borders), N568 million for medical supplies.

    Justifying the waivers, the official said they were incentives used to support the private sector because of some of the regulatory challenges in the domestic business environment.

    According to him, the sectors that benefited from waivers are hospitality, power, aviation, agricultural machinery, solid minerals equipment, gas-using equipment, steel and manufacturing.

    “There are also additional programmes, such as the Export Expansion Grant Scheme designed to promote non-oil exports. These sectors are seen as strategic areas, which can stimulate growth, support diversification of the Nigerian economy, and create jobs for Nigerians.

    “In the past, waivers were granted to individual businesses in an approach that resulted in rent-seeking behaviours and an uneven playing field for other businesses. It was precisely the need to stop such a discretionary approach that led to reforms by the Economic Management Team under the leadership of President Goodluck Jonathan.

    “A sector-wide waiver policy was introduced to provide specific incentives for some strategic, job-creating sectors. Under this regime, all businesses in a sector have access to the same incentives.

    “In addition, some waivers and exemptions make up for gaps in our economy; for example, waivers to bring in vehicles for sporting events and conferences,” the official said.

    When asked to speak on the implication of the waivers on the amounts that should go to the Federation Account and the seven per cent revenue that must accrue to Customs, he said: “We have to weigh the balance between putting money into the Federation Account, collecting Customs revenues and providing jobs for the army of the youth in the country by providing the necessary incentives to private sector operators to stimulate growth and development. The government felt it has responsibility to perform in terms of job creation and see to the local production of some of the goods we consume as nation.”

  • Customs seizes trailer laden with monkey meat

    Customs seizes trailer laden with monkey meat

    The Nigeria Custom Service (NCS) has impounded a trailer load of smoked meat suspected to be monkey meat.

    It was being imported into the country through the Jibia border in Katsina State.

    Monkey is suspected to be one of the major sources of the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), which has killed five Nigerians and scores in some other West African countries.

    The trailer was seized by the Federal Operation Unit “Zone B”, led by Assistant Comptroller Gambo Azare.

    It was learnt that the meat was destroyed under the supervision of the Comptroller, Federal Operation, Zone B, A. T. S. Maina and Katsina State Deputy Governor, represented by the health commissioner.

    Maina said Ebola is a pandemic which requires intensive surveillance at the nation’s borders to curtail, especially foreigners from countries with high EVD prevalence.

    The controller said the NCS would increase its surveillance at the borders to safeguard the health of Nigerians.

    He urged residents of border communities to assist the NCS with information to track down people who might disobey the law.

    Azare told reporters at the site where the seized meat was destroyed that the driver of the trailer conveying the meat ran away.

    The controller said the trailer ran into the ditch when its driver attempted to abandon the vehicle.

    He also said officials of the National Agency for Food Administration and Control (NAFDAC) advised that the seized meat should be destroyed within 24 hours.

  • Customs makes 336 seizures valued at N108m

    Customs makes 336 seizures valued at N108m

    Nigeria Customs Service( NCS) Federal Operations Unit, Zone ‘A’ Ikeja, has reportedly “recorded a total of 336 different seizures of assorted, offending goods/items valued at N107,513,308.00 with a payable duty of N42,937,110.00, with a duty paid value of N150,450,418.00 between 13th July and 9th August, 2014.”

    The Acting Comptroller of the Unit, Turaki, U.A,  who gave this hint last week during his inaugural address, intended to show case some of his achievements since assumption of office on July 15, further revealed that, “Under the same period, we apprehended a total of 19 (nineteen) suspects in connection with these seizures. Comparatively speaking, this report shows over 65% positive difference when compared with the report of corresponding period in 2013.”

    In a similar report bordering on revenue from intervention for the period between January and August 14, he revealed that “revenue from intervention from ports and borders stations stood at N89,337,981.00 which as at 14th August accounts for N28,128,514.00, being 6,195% comparative analysis increased from that of August 2013.”

    He listed the seized goods to include: foreign parboiled rice, foreign frozen poultry products, vehicles, textile materials (used and new), wine, various soaps, used shoes, tomatoes, spaghetti and mosquitoes insecticide.