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Tag: Nigeria Customs Service

  • Customs: era of dubious operations over

    Customs: era of dubious operations over

    • Agency to launch Time Release Study

    The Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, has said the era of importers and clearing agents engaging in dubious operations at the nation’s ports is over.

    He said there is an urgent need to safeguard the nation’s economy and border stations from saboteurs.

    Adeniyi spoke at the weekend during this year’s International World Customs Day, with the theme: Customs Engaging Traditional and New Partners With Purpose, organised by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) in Ikeja, Lagos.

    The yearly event highlights the role of Customs in the smooth flow of and transfer of goods across the sea ports, airports, and land border stations.

    Adeniyi said the NCS remained committed “to fostering a substantially improved relationship with stakeholders who adhere to the rules. We recognise that authentic partnerships are constructed on mutual respect and understanding”.

    To those who comply with and abide by the Customs rules and regulations, the CGC said they “can anticipate a more streamlined and supportive collaboration”.

    Adeniyi stressed that the “commitment does not extend to non-compliant entities. We assert unequivocally that adherence to regulations is non-negotiable”.

    He added: “Nonetheless, we remain open to engaging with non-compliant entities that demonstrate the willingness to reform and align with ethical standards.”

    The Customs boss said the service would not tolerate any unprofessional and illicit act from any of its stakeholders, including importers and clearing agents.

    Read Also: Imported medical syringes killing local industry, says NAFDAC

    He added that the disturbing development where agents and possibly with the connivance of importers engaged in nefarious activities would not be tolerated or treated with kid gloves any longer

    The service, the Comptroller General said, would, in February, launch a Time Release Study (TRS) to optimise processes and reduce the time it takes for goods to be released at the seaports and land borders across the country.

    Adeniyi said the new innovation would further facilitate trade and promote ease of doing business.

    Seeking stakeholders’ support and collaboration towards achieving the set objectives, the Customs boss assured everyone of his commitment to the Three-Point Agenda of Consolidation, Innovation, and Collaboration.

  • Navy nabs six rice ‘smugglers’ in A’Ibom

    Six suspected rice smugglers have been arrested by naval operatives attached to the Nigerian Navy, Forward Operating Base, Ibaka, Mbo Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State.

    Recovered from the suspects were 256 bags of 50kg rice, and one medium-sized wooden boat.

    The Commanding Officer, FOB, Captain Peter Yilme said the Navy is determined to end smuggling on the waterways, warning smugglers to desist from the act or be arrested.

    Speaking on Tuesday in Ibaka during the handover of the items to the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Yilme who was represented by the Base Operations Officer, Lieutenant Commander Kabiru Yusuf, stated that the Navy will intensify riverine and land patrols to ensure that illegal trade on the waterways is brought to an end.

    He added that the Navy was committed to the fight against smuggling.

    “I hereby handover one medium sized wooden boat laden with 256 bags of rice, along with its 6 crew members to the Nigeria Customs Service.

    “The Base will not relent in curbing smuggling as well as other illegal activities by criminal elements on the water ways or inland.

    “As they continue to device new means of smuggling rice, FOB Ibaka will also intensify riverine and land patrols to ensure that illegal smuggling is stopped within its area of operation.

     

  • Forwarders deplore Customs portal

    The National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) has expressed dissatisfaction with it called the slow pace of the Nigeria Integrated Customs Information System (NICIS 2). It also described the platform as “static“, ”inept” and “retrograde” in operation.

    It urged the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to engage stake-holders in port operations before embarking on innovations to boost trade facilitation.

    NICIS is a portal introduced by the Customs to enhance,  secure and facilitate trade. It is aimed at harmonising and integrating trade chain.

    Since its introduction in 2017, it has aided trade facilitation and the ease of doing business at the ports.

    But to NAGAFF president Dr Increase Uche, NICIS 2 has failed to meet stakeholders’ expectation in the clearance of goods from the ports.

    According to him, the only way to improve on facilitation of trade is to embrace the right portal.

    Uche noted that during ASYCUDA’s era, the traders and Customs zones, facilitated trade.

    He said:”You can’t be subjecting all the cargoes to physical examination; you have to provide scanners because it is long overdue. Since 2012, the portal has remained the same. Customs could not continue from where the service providers ended.

    “Even the new system that customs introduced from NICIS 1 to NICIS 2, it has not really worked as we expected.

    “Whether they are still doing the pilotage stage. But if indeed they have started full implementation of NICIS 2, we need to see change, we need to see it reflect in the pattern in which things are done and the way businesses are conducted in the port.

    “As at the last time, I was still telling them that we are yet to see the impact of NICIS 2 because what we saw during ASYCUDA 2.7 and 3.0 seemed to be better than what we are seeing today.

    ‘’In NICIS 2, there has not been a clear departure from what obtained before it’s introduction.

    “Formally, when we had the traders zone and customs zone, some of these non-compliance were almost reducing.

    “All of a sudden, the NICIS 2 came up and the trader zone was terminated and every other thing was jampacked and there was no more clear cut procedure.

    “Immediately you do your declaration, you wouldn’t know where you are going until you bring the container out.

    “Everything you see in terms of interruptions from intelligence unit, investigative unit and others up to nine of them.”

    It has never been like this before.

    “What we are advising is that stakeholders input have to be included before introducing these current regimes.” he stressed.

  • We are hindered from fighting smugglers in Oyo – Customs boss

    The Comptroller, Nigeria Customs Service, Oyo/Osun command, Abdullahi Zulkifli, on Wednesday, said the fight against the activities of smugglers has been facing serious challenges in Kisi, Oke-Ogun areas of Oyo state due to lack of cooperation by the residents.

    The customs boss who noted that the hostilities being faced in the axis could be linked to the unwillingness of the people in the area to see an end come to smuggling activities despite the efforts of the operatives and officials of the Customs Service in the Command.

    Zulkifli made the call during a courtesy call on Governor Seyi Makinde in his Agodi Secretariat office.

    Noting the challenges being faced by the officials operating on the Kisi-Kwara state axis known to be a route for the movement of several goods, he urged Governor Makinde to help look into why officers of the Customs service were unable to operate in Kisi while other security operatives does.

    He said, “There is a particular place in Oyo state that they have refused only Customs access and that is Kisi. All other agencies are there but they refused us even a small place to stay in Kisi.

    “This place is very close to Kwara state. At times we are called that there is movement of things from Kisi to Kwara, but we cannot go there. For reasons best known to them, they know why they don’t want us to be there.

    “For a very long time, all the other agencies are there in Kisi. I’m not saying it is in the bush, it is not a border area. Even Saki is not a border area, Igbeti is not a border area but they are linked to the main border area which is a bit bushy. There are a lot of routes. No matter your strength, you cannot cover all the existing routes but there are points where they meet.

    “We complain of hostilities of some of the border areas which is almost normal throughout the country because what we are there to stop have been their habits and business. But we are here to enforce the law and make sure that smuggling is curtailed and to collect maximum revenue.”

    Read Also: Customs collects N54.1b in six months

    He however, said the Customs remained undeterred and will continue to collaborate with other security agencies to arrest suspicious movements across the state.

    He further tasked the state government to through the state security trust fund, approve patrol vehicles for the Customs for it to be more effective in its anti-smuggling activities.

    Responding, Makinde said the state intended to have an integrated security architecture and make the state’s joint security task force, “Operation Burst” more effective, especially on border areas.

    He also promised to look into why the Customs service was unable to operate in Kisi.

    Furthermore, he assured that his administration will support the Customs service for effectiveness, especially by refurbishing existing vehicles and purchasing new ones.

     

  • Customs collects N54.1b in six months

    THE Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Port Harcourt Area II Command, Onne Port, said it collected N54,129,704,653.73 between January and June this year while it made seizures valued at N443, 304,711 during the period under review.

    Its Comptroller,  Galadima Saidu, in a statement, said the figure translates to 15 per cent increase above N46,260,300,287.86 collected within same period of 2018.

    He added that the revenue represents 57 per cent of the annual revenue target of N95.7 billion set for the Command in this year.

    The Command also said it recorded seizures of 34 containers with Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N443,304,711.00, all in the first half of the year.

    Read Also: Customs exceeds half year revenue target

    He said the Command will continue to be a ”no go area” for non-compliant traders. According to him, efforts are in top gear to reduce smuggling to its barest minimum.

    The seizures include 2 x 20ft containers comprising 2,200 jerry cans of 25 litres of vegetable oil with DPV of N26,136,496.00; 4 x 20ft containers comprising of 6,456 cartons of foreign soap (detergent) worth N74,947,617; 1x 20ft container loaded with 57,300 pieces of machetes valued at N16,115,234.00; 1x 40ft container loaded with scrap metal of various sizes and type worth N5,386,979.00; and 24 x 20ft containers comprising of 10,800 packs of corrugated aluminium roofing tiles/sheets and its accessories with DPV N290,823,551.00.

    Other seizures include 1x 20ft container comprising of 315 bales of textiles (wax material worth N18,495,395.00; 69 bags of imported rice and 329 bales of clothing (assorted wears) amounting to N10,725,658.00

  • Tin Can Customs makes N179b

    Tin Can Island Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has processed a total of 150,930 metric tons of export with free on board (FOB) value of N68.88 billion from the port between January and June.

    This is compared to 118,452mt of goods exported through the port with FOB of N63.10 billion within corresponding period of 2018.

    Baba Abdullah Musa, the command’s Controller, also said his unit generated a total revenue of N179.2 billion in the first half of 2019.

    The half-year revenue figure, which represents 52.28 percent of its annual target, is N6.7 billion higher than the N172.5 billion collected in the corresponding period of 2018.

    A statement by Tin Can Port Customs Public Relations Officer, Uche Ejesieme, said efforts were in top gear to prevent smuggling and other infractions

    “The command is leaving no stone unturned in the area of anti-smuggling in view of the devastating effect of smuggling to the nation and its implications on lives and security. Consequently, deliberate and concerted efforts are being made to ensure that examination and releasing officers remain proactive in the discharge of their statutory functions,” Musa was quoted saying in a statement by Ejesieme.

    He noted that during the period under review, the command recorded seizures of 5 x 40ft and 4 x 20ft containers comprising of various non-custom goods such as used tyres and used rims, bags of rice, cartons of Tramadol and other pharmaceuticals with a total duty paid value (DPV) of N1.15 billion.

    Read Also: Customs loses 200 personnel yearly in anti-smuggling fight

    According to the statement, the command is also upholding trade facilitation through regular stakeholder engagement and feedback, dispute resolution committee, time release studies, help desk, one-stop-shop as well as fast track facilities.

    “Efforts are in top gears at finding actionable modalities for the use of barges in transferring cargo from the mother port to off-dock terminals, with a view to reducing congestion and speed up cargo delivery, as cargo throughput is increasing, and road infrastructure overstretched,” Musa said.

    In similar vein, the NCS Ports Terminal Multi-services Limited (PTML) Command  made N75,706,005,990 between January and last month.

    The mid-year collection, according to the Customs Public Relations Officer, Mohammed Yakubu, is 30.7 percent higher than the N57,902,029,534 collected the same period last year.

    Yakubu attributed the increase to higher volume of trade and the policy of the Area Controller, Florence Dixon, to prevent revenue loss and facilitate trade.

    He added that increased diligence on the part of the command’s officers also boosted its output.

    A breakdown of the collection showed monthly increase in the year compared to what was collected same period last year.

    The command recorded 49 percent increase in January with a collection of N14,850,154,616 against N9,967,751,491 collected in January, last year.

    It recorded 38 per cent increase in February, this year with N10,024,673,259 as against N7,267,306,206. In March, it collected N11,853,972,028, which is 41 per cent more than N8,421,060,484 of last year.

    Between April and June, the Command collected N13,282,567,334, N12,352,449,543 and N13,342,189,210 with  22,13.7 per cent and 26.8 per cent increase above N10,858,205,216, N10,866,889,939 and N10,520,816,198.

  • Ogun Customs rakes in N6.7bn, surpasses revenue target

    The Ogun Area Command of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) generated N6.7 billion in the first half of this year, according to the Area Controller, Michael Agbara.

    Agbara told reporters at the Idiroko Customs Area Command that the amount represents an excess of 74.5 per cent of the annual revenue target of N3.86billion the Command set for the year.

    He noted that the amount was N2.8 billion above the revenue generated between January and June 2018.

    During the period under review, he said the command made 549 seizures.

    Impounded were  197 used vehicles popularly known as ‘Tokunbo’, among other contraband.

    Read Also: Customs loses 200 personnel yearly in anti-smuggling fight

    He said: “The seizure of over 29,905 bags of rice in the first half year of 2019 was indeed a landmark among numerous successes recorded, compared to 15, 976 bags of rice seized during the corresponding period of 2018.

    “Also seized were 466 kegs of vegetable oil (25 litres each), 27 units of motorcycles used as means of conveyance, 9,407 pairs of new shoes and 1,042 pairs, 427 cartons of frozen poultry products, 25 bales and 29 sacks of second-hand clothing, 12 sacks of Ankara wrappers, 11 sacks of Indian Hemp, 583 pieces of used tyres and 1,181 kegs of Premium Motor Spirit (Petrol) of 25 litres each, among others.”

    He said the achievement was made possible by “the strategic enforcement measures put in place in line with the Federal Government policy targeted at boosting agricultural development in the country.”

  • Vehicle bonded terminal gets final approval from NCS 

    Habbas Multiventures Limited on Wednesday obtained a ‘Final Approval’ from the Licenses and Permits Directorate of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to commence operation as first private vehicle begin in Nigeria.

    The Managing Director, Hamisu Sumaila, after receiving the approval in Abuja, thanked Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Col. Hameed Ali, and his management team, for creating a legitimate alternative to discourage trans-border vehicle smuggling in Nigeria.

    Sumaila described the final approval as a mark of confidence reposed in Habbas Multiventures, promising that the company will strive to justify it and add value to national economy through its terminal in area of automobile business.

    Read Also: Hurdles before Nigeria, Benin Customs pact

    He said: “We are happy that after an earlier provisional approval, followed by inspection visit to our terminal facility in Kano, the Nigeria Customs Service found us worthy for this final approval. Our members of staff are ready and willing to offer world class service in an environment for vehicle purchase, sales, and be of resource to importers of vehicular cargoes destined for the north.

    “With this approval, we can now strengthen our move to ship in vehicles by sea and air, taking advantage of the unique privilege of paying duty and other charges later, as approved by government.”

    The company’s venture into the business is in response to the 2017 Federal Government ban on importation of vehicles through land borders and approval for the creation of private car terminals to meet local demand.

    It is pursuing a seamless and hitch-free vehicle sales and purchase business with flawless documentation and perfect completion of Customs formalities including duty payment.

  • ‘No feud among Customs chiefs’

    There is no in-fighting in the top echelon of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), says the Chairman, Ogbese Marine Services Limited, Prince Olusegun Ologbese.

    Ologbese’s assertion came on the heels of insinuations in some quarters that officers and men of the NCS, especially those within Zone ‘A’ which has its headquarters on Harvey, Road, Yaba, Lagos have been locked in a supremacy contest in the discharge of their statutory roles and responsibilities.

    Speaking with reporters in Lagos, Ologbese stated that it was incorrect to say that Customs chiefs in Lagos have been locking horns over some seizures.

    Ologbese explained that the Surveillance Team of the Federal Operation Unit (FOU) of the NCS, on the directive of the Customs Area Controller (CAC), Comptroller Aliyu Muhammed, had gone to the Murtala Muhammed International Airport Command (MMIA), Lagos to seize donkey skin said to be worth N7.2 billion.

    According to the Ogbese Marine Services Limited helmsman, FOU is an overall enforcement unit of the NCS which can strike anywhere in Nigeria. The Customs Area Controller at the MMIA Customs Command, Comptroller Jane Shoboki, is a very experienced Customs officer who knows these facts and would not have raised an eye brow on the issue as being claimed in some quarters. I am sure she has not violated the rules of engagement, otherwise, Customs Headquarters; Abuja would have directed that she should be arrested. As far as I am concerned, no one should lose sleep over the erroneous claims, he said.

    Read also: Customs intercepts 12,720 smuggled bags of rice

    He further stated that no NCS officer worth his salt would dabble into anything that would taint the reputation and image of the service. The consequences of doing so are too grave to contemplate if such a person is caught by the numerous layers of checks and counter checks put in place since Colonel Ahmed Alli (retd) became the Comptroller General of the NCS, Ologbese said.   

    He commended Ali for the strides the NCS had made since his appointment, pointing out that with the support and co-operation of stakeholders, more would be achieved in the months ahead, especially in revenue generation, anti-smuggling and trade facilitation.

    He averred that the harmonious relationship among the various commands of the NCS in Zone ‘A’ and other stakeholders in the maritime industry, especially licensed customs agents and terminal operators have helped in no small way to ensure that the service actualise its mandate as a para-military organisation.

  • Customs committee distributes 8,834 bags of rice, others to Orphanage, IDPs

    The Nigeria customs Service Sub-Committee on distribution of relief materials to orphanage and IDPs nationwide, has distributed over 8,834 bags of foreign rice, spaghetti, foreign sugar, mosquito coils, as well as vegetable oils and bales of used clothes to orphanage and IDPs in Kano.

    The Chairman of the committee, comptroller of Customs, Yakubu Salihu, told reporters in Kano on Saturday during the documentation exercise, said that over  110 orphanage homes including IDPs has benefited from the on-going distribution exercise .

    Read Also: Customs command generates N814.7m

    According to him, “the compilation of issuing the landing certificate is still in progress as it is now, we have over 110 orphanage homes and IDPs that has been attended to. We have gone round and verify the authenticity of those orphanage homes of which we have seen that really, they do exist.

    “We have spent three days in Kano working according to the mandate given to us. We have been to other places in northern Nigeria and we have done our outmost best as regards to the distributions of these relief materials to orphanages and IDPs.

    “We can see the large crowd of people outside reason being that they are not aware of the mandate given to the committee. Our mandate is very clear and I have to categorically tell you that we deal only with orphanage and IDPs.

    All you see us doing here, is on child development and we have criteria for doing that, what we are dealing with here is documentation requirements which would show the level of transparency and accountability in whatever we are doing, same things goes for the IDPs.

    “We have procedure and processes as you can see the process is on-going onto the time the landing certificate would be issued for them to go and load and that complete the process which is very critical to this exercise.

    Salihu explained that “On the part of the beneficiaries, people that just came around didn’t know that certain documentary evidence is required but we tried as much as we can to see that, we scrutinized their documents properly, those that met the requirements, we give them a clean slate and we give them what is required of them.

    There are so many challenges the committee is facing, we see all manners of people coming out from nowhere such as tailors, hair dressers and farmers’ associations and not what trying to get the goodies of the federal government, but that is basically not the intention of the Government.

    “In as much as the government wants to alleviate the sufferings of the people, the particular targets are the Orphans and the vulnerable ones”  he said.