From Anthony Chukwu, Lagos
The Tin Can Island Ports (TCIP) Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced a revenue of N135.44 billion for first quarter (Q1) 2022. Announcing this to newsmen in Lagos Wednesday, Compt. Adegoke Adekunle said the figure was an increase of N22.75 billion (20.18 per cent) over the N112.7 billion collected during the same period of 2021. The command also facilitated the export of a total of 71,014.4 metric tonnes of goods, with a total Free On Board (FOB) value of $56,205,901,295.00, he stated. This was an increase of 26,511.5 metric tonnes (62.67 per cent) over the 44,502.9 metric tonnes in the corresponding period of 2021. Its FOB value in Naira also increased from N31.4 billion to N56.21 billion, representing 55.82 per cent. Commodities exported included copper ingots, stainless steel ingots, sesame seeds, cashew nuts, cocoa bean, rubber, carona butter, leather and ginger, among others. Compt. Adekunle further disclosed that the command intercepted eight containers (206,000 pieces) of machetes, imported from Ghana. He explained that though matches are not strictly under the import prohibition list, they require end-user certificate from the Office of the National Security Adviser because they are arms, especially given the worsening insecurity in Nigeria. All the smuggled items (matchetes inclusive), with a total Duty Paid Value of N1.05 billion, were seized either for false declaration or contravening Sections 46, 47& 161 of the Customs & Excise Management Act (CEMA) Cap 45 LFN 2004. Others included 145kg of Colorado (Indian hemp) concealed in two Ridgeland trucks and two Toyota Corolla vehicles, 640 bales of used clothes, and 236,500 pieces of used shoes, and 62,500 pieces of new lady’s shoes. Also intercepted were 1,670,400 pieces of Chloroquine injection (Smg/Sml), 1,814,400 pieces Novalgin injection (500mg/Sml), 48,850 rolls of cigarettes and 23,800 tins of sodium bromate and baking powder. However, Adekunle regretted challenges with the treatment of overtime cargo “because of the non-implementation of the extant laws guiding uncleared cargo. “Additionally, the lack of government warehouses at close proximity to the port has led to difficulties in logistics and handling cost.” Meanwhile, the NCS has shifted the implementation of the 2022 Fiscal Policy recently published by the Federal Ministry of Finance for April 1 to June 1, 2022. According to Adekunle, the grace period of 90 days is to allow all stakeholders make necessary adjustments. “We are experiencing minor delays in its full implementation because the system is not designed to be retroactive,” he explained.
