As part of efforts to promote ECOWAS Common Trade Policy with countries in the sub-region, the Seme area command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), has embarked on a joint meeting and sensitisation programme at the border region.
Controller of the command, Comptroller Mohammed Uba explained that the sensitisation programme was designed to further strengthen ECOWAS trade policy for regional integration within the sub-region.
According to him, programme aims at fostering regional cooperation between Nigeria and Benin Republic securities at the border, in order to enhance trade facilitation for greater economic growth.
He said such exercise is important for Nigeria and Benin Republic in areas of trade policies at the border.
Meanwhile, the command has posted revenue of N9.2 billion generated into the coffers of the Federal Government in 2018.
A press statement signed by the Public Relations Officer, Saidu Abdulahi of the command and made available to SHIPS & PORTS DAILY, the Seme said the figure represented about 76 per cent of the annual revenue target allocated to the command.
According to him, the command’s Enforcement Unit also effectively combated smuggling activities resulting in a total of 1,119 seizures of goods with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N1.4 billion.
“The seizures include 37,568 bags of foreign rice worth N876m, vegetable oil worth N14m, 169 assorted vehicles worth N368m, bags of sugar worth N6.6m and general merchandise worth N101m.
“Others include poultry products worth N21million, used tyres worth N768, 600 and petroleum products worth N217, 470, 119 parcels of hard drugs/Narcotics: all successfully handed over to NDLEA. The grand total for both seizures and revenue is N9, 24bn,” he said.
Abdullahi quoted the Controller of the command, Comptroller Muhammed Uba, stating that the command would deploy more strategies to ensure that all revenue leakages were blocked.
According to the controller, all stakeholders who are ready to comply with proper procedures and guidelines have been adequately sensitised to take advantage of the legitimate process in their transactions.
He said the command was ready to explore all avenues in order to ensure that the new target for the year was not only met, but exceeded with the inauguration and resumption of operations at the new Joint Border Post
He further warned officers and men of the command not to compromise, but to show commitment to the implementation of government fiscal policies.
Uba attributed the success of the command’s operations to the commitment and dedication of the officers, who were ready to sacrifice their lives in the midst of intimidation and threats.
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