Onne Customs generates N243bn in five months, Clears air on movement of containers to bonded terminals

…Exceeds 2023 revenue performance by N153b

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

The Area 2 Onne Command of the Nigeria Customs Service(NCS), said it has made an increase revenue of N153 billion above her generated revenue same period last year 2023.

The command has however stated that it generated N243 billion between January and May 2024, having intercepted seven containers of contraband goods worth over N3 billion within the period.

Comptroller Mohammed Babandede, Customs Area Commander, Area 2 Command Onne, disclosed this at a press briefing yesterday at Onne.

The revenue generated he said amounts to over 50 per cent of the initial target of N494bn given to the Command by the Federal Government.

Babandede explained that the seized items include four 20 feet containers laden with bales of clothing, lace and fabrics with a duty-paid value of N911,520,011.00 and two 400 feet containers laden with 2,625 cartons of codeine cough syrup, 80 cartons of Sildenafil Citrate tablets and 40 cartons of deluxe chilly cutter with duty paid value of N 2,250, 654,000.

One container laden with expired and banned second-hand electronics he explained was also seized.

Intelligence gathering and collaboration with sister agencies, alongside physical examination were very instrumental towards the success of the seizures, adding that the seized items contravene the import prohibition guideline and section 55 sub-section (1) paragraphs (c) and (I) of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.
Investigations the commander said are still ongoing to arrest owners of the containers and bring them to book.
On the generated revenue, he said: “The Command was initially given a target of N494 billion before it was reviewed two weeks ago to N618 billion as revenue target for year 2024.

“As of the end of May 2024, the Command had generated a total revenue of N249b which translates to 50.4 per cent of the initial target and 40.3 per cent of the current annual target.

“When compared to the same period last year, the Command had an increase of N153b.”

The controller said that despite the NLC strike, Democracy Day and Salah holidays, the Command has generated N43.4b.

He expressed hope for the continued rise in revenue generation in the coming months adding that the command would surpass the annual target for this year 2024.
On misconceptions and misinterpretations over who takes decision on movement of containers to bonded warehouses in the South East Zonal operation, Babandede said such movement is prerogative of owners or importers.
He revealed that the clearification became necessary following the erroneous belief that customs is responsible for such movement.
The press he urged to help disseminate the correct information.
“In recent times the Command has observed that a lot of journalists have been asking questions related to Bonded Terminals and a large number of our journalist stakeholders are misinformed about the procedures hence the view that Containers moved to the bonded terminals are at the discretion of the Command.

“This view is erroneous, hence the need to set the record straight as well as educate our friends the press, stakeholders and the public on Bonded Terminal procedures.

“It is important to note that one of the core functions of Customs is trade facilitation which entails a streamlined and simplified technical and legal procedure in clearing items entering or leaving Nigeria. These Procedures are guides in which all Customs Officers must adhere to. The final destination for clearing of any consignment into the Country is at the owner’s or importer’s discretion, he said.
“This cannot be altered by any customs officer including the Area Controller. Firstly the importer has to stipulate the Bonded Terminal or port that will be the final destination right at the country of exportation which is always indicated on the Bill of Laden and is transmitted via the shipping companies to the sea port which the vessel will berth.

“This negates the erroneous believe that Onne officers connive with operators of Bonded Terminals to transfer containers to Bonded Terminals. Secondly part of the procedure stipulates that these items moving to Bonded Terminals should be on Transire/Bond which is mandatory. The third procedure is escort from Onne Port to the bonded terminal.

“These procedures are strictly adhered by the Onne Customs Command. Any infraction discovered in the course of physical examination will translate to Demand Notice in order to recover the shortfall in revenue paid or detention in our Government warehouse which will be converted to Seizure.

“It may interest our stakeholders to note that the seizures of codeine where on transire to a Bonded Terminals but due to intelligence gathered they were step-down for physical examination at the mother Port. Hence there is no hiding place for economic saboteurs in the Command. We would not only fish them out, but shall get them arrested with their goods forfeited to the Federal Government,” he revealed.