Customs monthly revenue at Seme border up 40.4%

The Seme border Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, collected N701.5 million as revenue in August 2017 as against N499.6 million recorded in August 2016, representing a year-on-year increase of 40.4 percent.

The Command’s anti-smuggling unit also recorded 48 seizures with a Duty Paid Value, DPV, of N32.8 million during the month. Command’s Area Controller, Comptroller Mohammed Aliyu, disclosed that the Command has deployed all strategies while bringing professional dexterity to tackle smugglers despite the daunting challenges.

Aliyu explained that taking a cursory look at the Command revenue profile from January to date, the fluctuating revenue figure for each month was dependent on the volume of importation through the corridor which, he said, could be attributed to a lot of limiting factors, majorly, the downturn in economic activities.

He said other technical forms of revenue leakages were being addressed, adding that the Command remains committed and focused on implementing the core functions of the service without distraction. “Henceforth, bank confirmation for every duty payment must be verified before the release of goods.

All imported goods must pass through the revenue unit in order to observe the necessary import documentation formalities, while personal effects/merchandise in baggage must pass through the Baggage unit for assessment, using the passengers’ baggage electronic system.

Infraction of any kind will be traced back to where it originated from and appropriate sanctions will be meted against the perpetrators.”

He added that the Command also seized about 900 bags of 50kg of fertilizers and 1,840 mosquito repellent cream, second hand clothing and bags, textile material, soaps and sprays.