The Tincan Island Port Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has achieved a historic milestone, announcing a record-breaking revenue collection of over N1 trillion and unveiling sixteen major seizures of illicit and unregistered pharmaceuticals.
At a press briefing in Apapa, Customs Area Controller of the Tincan Island Port Command, Dera Nnadi, highlighted this impressive achievement, attributing it to the collaborative policies introduced by the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi.
“This milestone, the first of its kind in our Command’s history, symbolises the dedication and resilience of our officers and the sustained support of compliant stakeholders,” Nnadi said.
Reflecting the NCS’s 2024 theme, “The Year of the Stakeholders,” Nnadi noted that the Command’s weekly slogans serve as motivational mantras, with the current slogan, “Reform or Regret,” emphasising the need for all stakeholders to align with the vision for a new Nigeria.
As of November 7th, the Command reported an astounding N1.046 trillion in Customs duties. Nnadi dedicated this landmark achievement to the Comptroller General and the management team, highlighting the critical support from the DCG Tariff and Trade, DCG ICT/Modernisation, and DCG Enforcement, Investigation & Inspection divisions.
Nnadi emphasised the importance of securing Nigeria’s borders to ensure increased revenue flow from the ports, attributing the revenue boost to enhanced stakeholder cooperation and rigorous compliance enforcement.
In a major crackdown on illegal drug imports, the Command unveiled sixteen seized containers containing unauthorised pharmaceuticals, cannabis, and other contraband.
These seizures were the result of thorough inspections and collaboration between Customs, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
The seized items included Codeine-based cough syrups, 420 cartons of Royal 225, a potent painkiller, 200 cartons of benzhexol tablets, 341.025 kg of Cannabis Indica with a street value of ₦682 million and others.
The sources of these illegal imports included India, the United Kingdom, and Canada, with shipments arriving aboard various vessels. Thirteen of the sixteen containers have been handed over to NAFDAC for further regulatory action, as part of the Command’s commitment to interagency cooperation and public safety.
Comptroller Nnadi reminded the public of a prior seizure on October 2nd, where 684 packets of Cannabis Indica (341.025 kg) were confiscated from three containers.
“The NCS, in partnership with local and international regulatory bodies, will continue to deploy all necessary resources and strategies to combat the menace of illegal importation of unregistered pharmaceuticals into Nigeria,” Nnadi asserted.
As the festive season approaches, Nnadi assured compliant stakeholders of timely cargo processing to ensure smooth operations during the high-traffic period. He also issued a stern warning to those intending to contravene Customs regulations, affirming the Command’s readiness to enforce strict compliance to protect the Nigerian public.
He extended gratitude to all stakeholders supporting the Command’s vision and reiterated the NCS’s commitment to a safe, drug-free society.
“We thank you for your partnership in sustaining the protection of the Nigerian society,” he added.
Copyright Ships & Ports Ltd. Permission to use quotations from this article is granted subject to appropriate credit given to www.shipsandports.com.ng as the source.
