From TONY JOHN Port Harcourt
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Port Harcourt 2 Area Command, Onne, said it has generated a sum of N246,025,872,903.80 from January 2023 to October this year.
Customs Area Controller, in-charge of the command, Comptroller Baba Iman made the disclosure when he addressed newsmen on seizures and handing over pistol to Nigeria Police Force in Onne on Friday.
Iman said the over N246 billion raked in represented a significant increment of N44,245,889,008.65 over the amount generated for 2022.
According to him, the feat was recorded through collaborative functions with other government agencies in the area.
He further stated that the command realized over N38 billion for the month of October alone, adding that it exceeded its monthly target of N28 billion.
Iman said: “It is pertinent to state here that the command realized the sum of over N38 billion for the month of October alone, exceeding its monthly revenue target of N28 billion with an increment of over N10 billion.”
Speaking further, the Port Harcourt 2 Area Command Controller said in the last six months, Customs made a seizure of nine containers for violations or contraventions of extant import prohibition laws.
He hinted that on October 26, this year, in the course of examination of an imported container from United States of America which was concealed to contain household effects, a pistol and 100 rounds of ammunition were discovered.
The command’s boss continued that the seizures made included 724 bales of used clothing, 1805 pieces of used tyres, four vehicles used in concealment of 76.9kg special cannabis (marijuana), 2070 cartons of tomatoe paste and 1578 cartons of Barcadin Cough Syrup with codeine (100ml) and many other items.
He added that two suspects are in their custody in connection to the pistol and ammunition to the Nigeria Police.
He stated that the total duty paid value for the nine containers stands at N1,162,424,371.00.
Iman expressed: “Let me at this junction be emphatic that we do not just take delight in impounding containers or making seizures of contraband goods. Rather, we do this to enforce the laws of the nation and to serve as deterrent to others.”
He, however, declared that the Command and Customs will continue to maintain zero tolerance to smuggling and would not relent in carrying out that responsibility.
Comptroller Imam urged member of the public to cooperate and support government agencies whose role is bringing about social justice, stability and peace in the society.