The Port Harcourt 2 Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, Onne, Rivers State, has recorded a major milestone in the first quarter of 2025, collecting over ₦190 billion in revenue and intercepting 20 containers laden with illicit drugs valued at over ₦10 billion.
The Area Controller, Comptroller Mohammed Babandede, disclosed these achievements during a one-day working visit by the House of Representatives Committee on Customs and Excise to the Onne Port last Thursday.
Comptroller Babandede highlighted that the command’s revenue collection represents a 17.12% increase compared to the same period in 2024, consistently exceeding its monthly target of ₦58 billion by generating between ₦60 billion and ₦66 billion. He attributed the success to the dedication of his officers, even in the face of operational challenges such as limited scanners and infrastructure constraints.
The committee’s visit, led by its Chairman, Leke Abejide, formed part of a two-day oversight tour of Customs Zone C, aimed at evaluating the performance, challenges, and needs of Customs commands across the region.
Abejide expressed satisfaction with the operations at Onne, describing the command as a critical player in Nigeria’s maritime trade and Customs revenue generation.
“Onne is the second largest Customs command after Apapa and Tin Can. Given its strategic importance, we made it a priority to closely scrutinize its activities,” Abejide stated.
He praised the command’s revenue achievements and anti-smuggling operations, awarding Comptroller Babandede a near-perfect performance score.
“Despite significant challenges, Onne Command has continued to exceed expectations. If I were to score Comptroller Babandede, I would give him a 99% rating,” he added.
The lawmaker also lauded the interception of a large cache of illicit drugs, arms, and unwholesome goods, acknowledging the direct involvement of the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, in supporting these enforcement successes.
He assured that the House Committee would prioritise the Command’s needs — including the urgent provision of additional scanners and improved officer welfare — in the forthcoming budget discussions.
During the visit, the delegation conducted an on-the-spot assessment of facilities at the West Africa Container Terminal (WACT) and Intels, inspecting the sole operational scanner currently serving the port.
Stakeholders from across the maritime sector, including terminal operators and freight forwarder associations such as ANLCA, NAGAFF, and APFFLON, were also in attendance to lend their perspectives on operational challenges and opportunities for improvement.
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