The Seme Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has surpassed its revenue target for 2023 by N3.9 billion, amassing a staggering N5.9 billion in revenue throughout 2023.
The Customs Area Controller (CAC) of the Command, Comptroller Timi Bomodi, while addressing journalists at the ECOWAS Joint Border Post, Seme-Krake Border on Wednesday noted that the Command surpassed its revenue target for 2023, collecting N5,946,174,156.62 by December 31, 2023. He added that this exceeded the set target by N3,980,174,156.62.
According to the CAC, this revenue figure surpassed the previous year’s collection of N1,409,498,950.08 by an impressive 322%. He also noted that the Command facilitated extensive export activities, handling 222,442.88 Metric tons across 6,253 trucks, with a Free On Board (FOB) value of N32,448,564,533.1.
Shedding more light on the achievement of the command in 2023, Compt. Bomodi informed that in combating illicit trade, the Command executed 513 interceptions valued at N1,374,245,832.00. He said this included seizures of various contraband items and enforcing the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), resulting in the confiscation of 152 live Parrots, Birds and other protected animals, alongside 6,000,000 fake dollars bills and other illicit goods.
“The 2023 revenue collection was the highest collection since 2019. This reinforce our commitment to ensure that the Lagos – Abidjan corridor is perceived more as a trade enabler with huge potentials for exponential growth.. We will continue to do our best at ensuring that the Command achieves its full potential of trade facilitation without hindrance.
“In the area of anti- smuggling operations, the Command made a total of 513 interceptions valued at N1, 374,245,832.00 only from 14,181 50kg Bags of Rice which is equivalent to 24 trailers, 1,220,130 liters of PMS equivalent to 37 tankers load, 39 smuggled Vehicles, 8,278kg of drugs and narcotics, 9,639 general merchandise and 37 suspects were arrested in connection with different seizures, during the period under review” he noted.
Comptroller Bomodi credited the Command’s success to the dedication and motivation of its officers, supported by the Nigeria Customs Service’s management under the leadership of the Comptroller General of Customs; Adewale Adeniyi . He pledged continued efforts to combat illicit trade and achieve forthcoming targets.
“The Command will continue to sustain tempo in the fight against all illicit trade within the nooks and crannies of the command.
Given the encouragement and support this Command has received from the Comptroller General of Customs and the entire Management of the Service, we will not only maintain the tempo but work towards meeting the what-ever target that will be set for us in the current year” Bomodi concluded.
