2024: Onne Customs records N150.8bn seizures, surpasses revenue target

 

Maureen Aguta

 

As the year 2024 comes to a close today, the Customs Area Controller of Area 2 Command, Onne of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Comptroller Mohammed Babandede has announced that the outgoing year was a momentous year for the command as it recorded many feats, even as the command closes the year with the seizure of 12 container loads of illicit medicines on the eve of the New Year.

He noted that the command intercepted contraband in the outgoing year with duty paid value of over N150 billion, even as it surpassed it revenue target for the year, hitting 103 per cent annual revenue target on December 31, 2024.

Comptroller Babandede who broke this news at the New Year in Onne, Rivers State, disclosed that the vigilant officers and men of the command successfully intercepted and seized an additional 12 containers (40 feet) of illicit medicine. A feat, he disclosed, is a testament to our unwavering commitment of the command to safeguarding public health, ensuring security of the nation and compliance with Nigeria’s import regulations.

“This also justifies our commitment to trade facilitation, transparency, effective and efficient service delivery,” Babandede said.

He gave the breakdown of the seizure is as follows: 1,721,100 bottles of 100ml Cough Syrup Codeine, 510,000 tablets of 50mg Really Extra Diclofena, 7,100,000 tablets of 225mg Royal apple Tramadol and Tramaking,   3,461 pieces of sanitary ware Fittings used for concealment, 840 pieces of Chilly cutter used for concealment, 153 cartons of TVS rubber.

Comptroller Babandede further said that the duty paid value of the 12 containers is ₦20,309,890,800; adding that the latest seizure underscores the passion and diligence of the officers and men of the Onne Command in ensuring that illicit drug and other harmful goods do not find their way into Nigeria.

His words: “Our efforts are geared toward securing the health and safety of our citizens while upholding the integrity of entry points into the country through the Onne, port axis.

“We appreciate the continued support and collaboration of all stakeholders, including the media, in amplifying our message and efforts to combat smuggling. Together, we can build a safer and healthier nation,” he said.

Speaking further, he said, “It is worth noting that the morale and dedication of our officers have been significantly bolstered by the Comptroller-General of Customs’ award, recognising Area 2 Command as the best command in anti-smuggling operations. This honour has further strengthened our resolve, and I assure you that we will not relent in performing our duties to protect the lives and well-being of Nigerians.

“In the recently released 2024 promotion for General Duty/Support Staff for officers and men of the Service, the Area 2 Command got some officers promoted as well. A total of 14 Deputy Comptrollers were elevated to the rank of Comptroller. A total of 6 Assistant Comptrollers were elevated to the rank of Deputy Comptrollers and 17 Chief Superintendent of Customs were elevated to the rank of Assistant Comptrollers. Other newly promoted officers include 22 to Chief Superintendent of Customs, 4 to Superintendent of Customs, 18 to Deputy Superintendent of Customs, 14 to Assistant Superintendent of One and 16 to Assistant Superintendent of Customs 2. Junior Officers were also promoted as 9 got Inspector of Customs, 3 got Customs Assistant One and 3 got Customs Assistant 2,” he said.

Comptroller Babandede expressed gratitude to the Comptroller General of Customs Bashir Adewale Adeniyi for keeping to his promise to reward Officers and men of the Command for the role they played in the interception of 844 units of riffles and 112,500 pieces of live ammunition.

According to him, command was given a revenue target of N618 billion for the year but as 31^st of December, the command has generated a total revenue of N634 billion which accounts for 103 per cent of the annual target. “This amount is over the 2023 collection by N321 billion and represents 98 per cent increase over the 2023 generated revenue.

“In the area of anti-smuggling the Command made a total of 76 container seizures comprising of arms, ammunition, illicit medicine, vegetable oil, foot wares, donkey skin, used cloths among others uncustomed goods used as concealment with a duty paid value of ₦150,872,551,207,” he said.

In export, Comptroller Babandede noted that the major commodities exported through Onne Ports comprised of agro and mineral resources namely: sesame seeds, aluminum ingot, granular urea in bulk, wheat bran, orange peel among others and a total of 2,707,339.22 metric tonnes of goods with a Free on Board (FoB) value of $952,986,490.99 which is equivalent to ₦1,261,039,933,168.99 was processed through the command this year.

“These are just few of the results achieved with purposeful engagement of our stakeholders and partners this year we look forward to a more result oriented 2025,” he said.