By Chris Udochukwu
The Nigeria Customs Service Tincan Island Area Command, Lagos, has unveiled its extraordinary achievements, having recorded significant revenue generation for the 1st Quarter of 2024.
In a press statement signed on Monday, 15 April 2024, by Ngozi Okwara, the Command Public Relations Officer, on behalf of the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Dera Nnadi, revealed that the command’s first-quarter revenue goal for 2024 increased by 139%, amounting to a difference of ₦177,079,358,035.36, compared to the same period in 2023.
According to the statement, the Command recorded a total collection of ₦303,937,547,265.47 in the first quarter of 2024, as opposed to ₦126,858,189,231.31 recorded in the same period of 2023.
For the export activities of the Command, in terms of volume (MT) and value (FOB), export trade also witnessed exponential growth within the same period under review. Comparatively, the tonnage of goods exported via TCIP increased from 145,906.33 MT in 2023 to 251,679.89 MT in 2024, representing an increase of 95.3%.
Likewise, there was an over 300% increase in the FOB value of exports, rising from ₦80,993,580,710 to ₦287,792,767,415.00 between Q1 2023 and Q1 2024, respectively.
In his remarks, Comptroller Dera Nnadi congratulated officers, men, and stakeholders of the command for embracing service delivery and teamwork, surpassing the first-quarter revenue target of 2024. He acknowledged the efforts of all units within the Area Command in achieving these results.
“I challenge you to come up with modalities and new strategies to meet the revenue target for April and the months ahead despite the series of holidays the country has embarked upon,” the CAC emphasised.
“Stakeholders should be highly esteemed and treated with respect, but with due diligence to identify compliant and non-compliant traders,” he noted.
The Customs Area Controller emphasised that the Command’s enforcement and anti-smuggling unit has not relented in its effort to combat smuggling and all forms of criminality. According to him, the NCS, being the lead agency at the ports, has coordinated several 100% physical examinations under his supervision, ensuring compliance with international trade regulations.
“The anti-smuggling activities of the Command recorded a total seizure of 57 packets of heroin weighing 56.390kg with a street value of ₦902,240,000.00; 3,612 packets of Colorado Indica weighing 956.772kg with a street value of ₦4,055,400,000.00. All the seized illicit drugs have been handed over to the relevant sister agencies,” he added.
The statement also highlighted some stakeholders’ activities of the Area Command, including hosting various sessions of Stakeholders’ forums for Shipping Companies, Terminal Operators, Freight Forwarders, and Security Agencies, both physically and virtually, aimed at enhancing communication channels and minimising revenue loss.
The CAC equally notified stakeholders of the Command’s challenges and the efforts were put in place to overcome them, especially regarding goods released from terminals within the port premises.
“I have the honour to inform you that irrespective of the challenges observed, the Area Command has not relented in its efforts to achieve its aim. The Time Release Study (TRS) aims to enhance efficiency and effectiveness within Customs Operations by assessing the time it takes for goods to be released from terminals within the port premises. This will be unveiled with time, yet be assured that there is progress,” he stated.
In efforts to create a level playing field for importers and stakeholders by decongesting the ports, the Area Controller encouraged stakeholders to strategize for the formation of new terminals. He noted that activities have commenced at the terminals.
The CAC appreciated the support and leadership of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, towards consolidating the capacity of the Service through innovation and creativity.
“We continue to express our profound appreciation for the support and clear sense of direction from the Comptroller General of Customs, and his management team for their relentless efforts towards strengthening the Service’s capacity and introducing innovative methods to perform its statutory responsibilities in line with international best practices,” he extolled.