Despite the challenges recorded in the trade supply chain occasioned by a lull in Port activities, the Edo/Delta Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service generated a total sum of Thirty Billion, Six Hundred and Thirty-Eighty Million, Seventy-Three Thousand, Seven Hundred and Ninety-Five Naira Seventy-Five Kobo only (N30,638,073,795.75) from January to August 2023 and remitted same to the Federation and Non-Federation Accounts of the Federal Government.
The Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu, stated the Command also recorded a total of Four Billion, Five Hundred and seven million, Seven Hundred Thousand, Twenty Eight Naira from Excise Duty collection, which are from Guinness Nigeria PLC, Coca-Cola, and 7up Bottling Company.
“When compared to the corresponding period last year, 2022, the Command had an increase of Two Billion, Three Hundred and Sixty-Two Million, Three Hundred and Eighty-Two Thousand, Three Hundred and Seventy-Nine Naira (2,362,382,379.00). This indicates an increased collection of 8.02%, “though we had One Hundred Seventy-Six (176) lesser Declarations in 2023 as we had Six Hundred and Fifty-Six (656) Declarations within the stated time frame in 2022 against Four Hundred and Eighty (480) in 2023.” The CAC said.
“Also, the command was able to raise 24 Demand Notices (DN) as compared to the Demand Notice for the corresponding period of 2022. The Demand Notice of 2023 is worth One Hundred and Thirty-Eight Million, Five Hundred and Eighty-Seven Thousand, Four Hundred and Sixty-Eight Naira (N138,587,468.00).” He added.
In Export, Comptroller Olomu revealed that the total Volume of Crude Oil lifted from the Area within the period under review from January to August 2023 stood at 156,836,264 Barrels and that of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) was 268,319.522 Metric Tonnes. “This is an emerging area of strength, and I wish to appreciate the support of the State Government towards resuscitating this very vital sector. Compared to the corresponding period last year, the command had an increase of 53,911,990 Barrels for crude in 2023, while 61,548.86 Metric Tonnes increase was gotten for LPG in 2023.”
According to him, in ensuring the security of seizures and detentions domiciled in the Command, the Area was recently gifted with an ultra-modern Government warehouse in Benin outstation Aduwawa. He explained that all seizures brought in by Federal Operation Unit and Joint Border Patrol team are handed over to Officers and Men of Edo/Delta Command for proper documentation and safekeeping.
Speaking further, he noted that the Command is currently in the custody of seizures with Duty Paid Value of Three Hundred and Thirty-One Million One Hundred and Eighty-One Thousand Six Hundred Naira (N331,181,600.00) within half of a third quarter of the year 2023, which includes Bales of Used Clothes, Rice, Veg-Oil, Used Fridges, Red Wines, Tomato Paste Sacks of Cannabis, etc.
He listed some of the significant achievements of the Command as the construction of 16 Man Rank and File situated at the Customs Barracks, Airport Road, Warri, the construction of Ultra-Modern Government.
Warehouse Customs House, Aduwawa Benin City, construction of two 16 Man Rank and File Customs House, Aduwawa, Benin City, renovation of four 3-bedroom Flats and Boys Quarters Customs Barracks, Airport road, Warri and renovation of 5 Blocks of 2-bedroom Flats semi-detached Customs Barracks, Airport Road, Warri.
“This press briefing will be incomplete if I fail to recognise in uttermost respect the special attention, love, dedication and care of the Ag. Comptroller General of Customs Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR and the entire Management team have accorded the Command. In general, their support and encouragement have been overwhelming and have seen to the completion of the capital projects for the Command.” He emphasized.