The redesigned templates to fight smuggling in view of its devastating effect on the nation’s economy by the Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Ikeja, have started yielding results.
Otherwise, in less than two weeks, the command has made 268 different seizures with duty paid value of N360,198,250.00. Also, within the period, about 34 arrests were made.
Disclosing the development at FOU Ikeja headquarters yesterday, the Controller Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘A’, Comptroller Umar Mohammed Dahiru, in a facility tour of the Government Warehouse and Workshop area of the Unit, revealed that the Customs Management under the present Comptroller-General of Custom, Retired Col. Hammed Ibrahim Ali is fully committed to ensuring that the Service does not renege in its core functions of Revenue collection, suppression of smuggling and facilitation of legitimate trade amidst other adhoc assignments.
He confirmed that the CGC and the Management have been holding regular meetings with select Controller’s of Federal Operations Unit, the Eastern/Western Marine Commands, the Customs Intelligent Unit as well as the Valuation Unit. The Controller stated that these meeting were usually convened to find practical solution to some infractions which does not augur well for the socio-economic development of the Nation. He stated that the Service more than ever before is looking inwards in conjunction with critical stakeholders to find a lasting solution to areas where Revenue is suspected to be lost with a view to blocking it.
The Controller hinted that the Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘A’ as a frontline Command have raised the standard of its anti-smuggling campaign. “This is evident from the quality and quantity of Seizures which we have made in recent times. It is instructive to note that our Key Performance Index (KPI) is on Seizures, being an Enforcement arm of the Service and we are not relenting”.
The Controller in the analysis of his giant strides reported that the Unit in two weeks effected two hundred and sixty eight (268) different Seizures with thirty four (34) suspects. He revealed further that the goods has a Duty Paid Value of three hundred and sixty million, one hundred and ninety eight thousand, two hundred and fifty naira (N360,198,250.00) only.
He gave the breakdown saying 79 different Seizures of 50kg parboiled Rice, totaling three thousand, three hundred and seventy four (3,374) bags with a Duty Paid Value of twenty two million, ninety three thousand, five hundred naira (N22,093,500.00) only.
There is also 70 different Seizures of foreign poultry products, totalling eleven thousand, eight hundred and fifty four cartons (11,854) with a Duty Paid Value of sixty four million, eleven thousand, six hundred naira (N64,011,600.00) only.
Again, 13 different seizures of vehicles totalling twenty three (23) units and twelve (12) cut buses, two thousand and three (2,003) kegs of vegetable oil and assorted general merchandise, including new/used textiles materials, new and used footwear’s, new and used hand bags, used tyres, electrical pad, fridges, furniture’s, soap and detergents etc.
The Controller also hinted that a truck load of fairly 1,198 used tyres, was intercepted few days ago, by the Controller’s Monitoring Team ‘B’ Idiroko Axis led by Assistant Comptroller of Customs, Jatau Micah. He revealed that the Seizure came as a result of the painstaking effort of the team and their renewed vigour towards enhanced surveillance. The Controller confirmed that the goods with Duty Paid Value of six million, four hundred and sixty nine thousand, two hundred naira (N6,469,200.00) only, have been deposited at the Government warehouse of the Unit.
Reacting to questions regarding Presidential directive on sending food items to the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp, the Controller confirmed that the Unit have started complying but however stated that such items were usually subjected to test through the NAFDAC to ensure that they are good for human consumption.
A statement signed by the Public Relations Officer of the Command, Mr. Uche Ejesieme quoted the Controller as saying that the way and manner some of these consignments were intercepted, especially the poultry products concealed with fish is a clear indication that these smugglers were being rattled. “The land borders are no more conducive for them and that is why they keep creating means and avenues.
However, we have a comparative advantage because we are well trained for the task and we have officers and men who are resilient and determined to dare the smugglers, irrespective of their hostility”.
He appealed to Nigerians to see the commitment of the Service and support her in the fight against smuggling.
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