How we generated N574. 3b in 2022 —CAC TIN
By: Joy Enamuna
The Tin Can Island Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has said that it has generated whooping sum of N574.3 Billion naira between January to December 2022,
Speaking in Apapa, Lagos during the weekend in press conference at the command in Lagos, the Customs Area Controller (CAC), Tincan Island Port Command, Comptroller Olakunle Oloyede, said the figure represented an increase of N80.90 billion or 16.39 per cent when compared with N493.4 billion recorded in previous year.
Açcording the CAC, “Despite numerous challenges posed by micro and macro economic disruptions which, in 2022, worked against general global trade and customs operations in particular, the Command was able to record a higher revenue”.
While giving a run-down of activities in 2022, he attributed the success to constant rejigging of measures already in place to sustain the Command’s revenue profile as well as utilize what he called some disruptive strategic approaches.
He further expancited that areas of revenue leakages were identified and blocked. The Command also took advantage of available facilities on the NICIS II Platform for enhanced Risk Management Processes (RMP) to achieve enhanced Customs clearance processes, trade facilitation and collection of appropriate duties and taxes.
Still addressing journalist, professionally, he noted that some strategic measures adopted in 2022, where periodic capacity building, reshuffling and redeployment of officers using the SWOT analysis, implementation of the VIN Valuation, Automation of the 546 procedure, re-introduction of the NIIT after deployment of a Non-Intrusive Inspection Technology Equipment to the Command, Proper Profiling, System Audit, Proper recheck or Examination and detailed but clearly inputted Inspection Acts all contributed to the modest successes made in the year under review.
Stakeholder engagement and collaboration with sister agencies also contributed in the Command’s efforts to detect false declarations and offensive importations.
Giving the breakdown of the seizures made, the CAC “over a total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N41,846,372,083.50 , These included
763pkgs of Colarado (Cannabis Sativa) weighing 345.1kg with a street market value of N714,600,000 given by the NDLEA, 5 x 40 Containers of used Motor Tyre (5050 pieces), 1,150 bales of second- hand clothings; 1,190 cartons of potassium bromate and baking powder , 11,392 cartons of Armcol Injection Chloroquine Phosphate 322.5mg/5ml (IV and IM). Others include 206,000 pieces of finished matchets and1383 cartons of 50 rolls per carton of cigarettes.
Others include 650 cartons of 50 pieces per carton of new ladies shoes; 2.666 pieces (in 36 pallets) of new Starter Ex-Premium Inverter Battery; 1980 cartons of assorted non-alcoholic beverages and 1048 cartons of Tilde Basmatic Rice. Others include 2594 pieces of ammunition and 20 pieces of arms comprising 1 pistol with 611090 (S/W) model JCPr 40mm; 1 used Co2 Air Pistol with accessories cal 117(4.5m)BM, 1 Marksman repeater pistol, & Mace pepper gun and 10 suspected arms of various types.
The Controller said: “This seizure record when compared with the 2021 record of 27 with a DN of 507,267,617.00 shows an increase of eleven (11) seizures and 1,239,104,466.50. The increase in DPV rate could be associated with increased surveillance and intensified anti-smuggling drive, high value of seized items and the Naira-Dollar depreciation which leads to high exchange rate on imported items”.
These prohibited items, he stated, were seized and forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria in line with the provisions of sections 46 and 161 of the Customs & Excise Management Act (CEMA), Cap 45 LFN 2004 and Absolute Prohibition List of CET 2022 2026.
“The Command pertinently acknowledges the prominent roles played by the Customs Intelligence Unit, Valuation Unit, FOU, CGC Strike Force as well as interventions of sister regulatory agencies like the NDLEA, NAFDAC, DSS, SON, the Nigeria Police and others in ensuring that these seizures and detentions were made.”
On the issue of suspects, he said “a total of 60 suspects were detained in 2022 and granted administrative bail while the Command has 8 cases pending in court”
Comptroller Oloyede lauded his officers for their diligence in 2022 and assured that in 2023, the Command would leverage on the measures it has put in place to enhance trade facilitation and a conducive atmosphere for compliant trading public.
He assured that conscious efforts will be made in making the VIN Valuation, the Automated 846 Procedure as well as the deployment of the Non- Intrusive Inspection Technology (NIIT) platform work more effectively in line with the projected digitalization of all Customs processes and procedures under the Customs Modernization Project