Customs generates N7.8b in 10 months in Calabar

The Calabar Free Trade Zone and Akwa Ibom Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service generated N7.8 billion as revenue between January and October 2017.
Burromvyat Patience, the Customs Area Controller in charge of Calabar Free Trade Zone and Akwa Ibom Area Command disclosed this on Thursday in Calabar while briefing newsmen on activities of the command.
She said the result was achieved following the command’s renewed efforts in blocking all leakages and generating the required revenue into Federal Government coffers.
Patience said: “In spite of challenges faced by the command, the total sum of N7.8 bilion was generated between January and October 2017, out of the N8.7 revenue target of the command.
“This represents 58 per cent increase compared to what was recorded for the corresponding period last year and 89 per cent of the 2017 revenue target.”
On suppression of smuggling activities in the state, the controller said 28 seizures were made during the period under review.
She explained that items like used tyres, used vehicles and live animals were also seized by the command.
She said: “last year, we seized 1,521 (50Kg) bags of rice and just last month, we seized another 683 (50kg) bags of smuggled foreign rice. The value of duty paid for the above items is N34.9 million.
“In as much as smuggling will continue, we shall continue to apprehend them so that it will serve as deterrent to others.
“Though no life was lost during the process of the seizures, our officers suffered various degrees of injuries.”
The command had on July 26, 2017, seized wildlife animals at the Calabar shoreline jetty, 140 snakes, 220 geckos, 200 spiders, 200 millipedes and 20 hairy frogs.
She gave assurance that the command, in conjunction with other security agencies would continue to beef up security along the jetties and border areas with a view to curbing arms smuggling and other trans-border crimes.
Patience said: “Let me reiterate for emphasis to our officers and the public, the NCS Comptroller-General’s non-negotiable stance on quality service delivery and zero tolerance for corruption as enunciated in his policy trust.
“I must also commend the untiring cooperation and assistance received during difficult operations from Nigerian Navy, Army, Nigerian Police and Directorate of State Services.”