BY FRANCIS EZEM

The Nigeria Customs Service, Tin Can Island Port Command has recorded an impressive growth rate of 25.4 per cent in its revenue generation for the first half of 2018 covering January-June. The command had at the close of business on June 30, 2018 generated a total of N162.7billion as against the N130billion recorded in the corresponding period of 2017.

This represents a growth rate of N32.7billion or 25.4 per cent per annum.

Customs Area Controller in charge of the command, Comptroller Musa Baba Abdullahi, who spoke on this impressive revenue performance by the command during a recent stakeholders’ engagement, attributed it to the various reforms at the command, which have helped to reposition it as the most business friendly port in the country.

According to him, part of the reforms is that all compliant consignees are duly compensated and given special preference in terms of processing their consignments.

“We are deploying multi-layered approach in addressing the issues of compliance which is a major component of trade facilitation, through reward for compliance and also ensuring that compliant declarants or importers are given expeditious attention in line with the presidential directive on Ease of Doing Business”, he said emphatically.

It was also gathered that in line with the reforms, the command is at the verge of fully automating key seats in the command to enhance seamless operations, part of  which is the just concluded training of officers on E-Transire and NSA-End User Certificate Procedure.

On seizures and detentions, the CAC stated that the command effected seizure of assorted contraband items ranging from used clothing, children toys,  assorted furniture, bags of rice, shoes, handbags, used vehicles, among several others with a Duty Paid Value DPV,N138.8 million.

He also assured that the command is in steady progression in all aspects of its primary functions and urged stakeholders to take advantage of the various complaints platforms in channeling their genuine grievances for necessary action.

“We are encouraged by the steady progress in compliance by the Importers and we are optimistic that the trend will continue to show appreciable response”, the CAC also said.

Recall that the command had also in the review period effected the seizures of large quantity of ammunitions and other military hardware during scheduled examinations after which the leadership of the command promised that it will not lower its guards in ensuring that such illicit consignments does not pass through to command.

The CAC expressed appreciation to the Comptroller General of the service, Col. Hameed Ali, his management team and the officers and men of the command as well as the esteemed compliant importers and other stakeholders operating at the command for their support during the period under reference.  He also assured that the command will continue to leverage on the already harnessed competences of it’s hard working personnel to carve a niche and remain outstanding in the performance of its statutory mandate.

On the recurring issues of multiple alerts arising from non- compliance with government’s fiscal policies, the CAC assured that with the take -off of the One- Stop- Shop platform at the command, the issue of multiple alerts would become history and therefore urged importers and agents on the need to be honest with their declarations in order to checkmate multiple alerts and also save time and reduce cost.