Customs Seizes 2 Containers Of Mackerel Fish In Port Harcourt

…Rakes In N39.3 Billion

Ugochukwu Iwuchukwu
The Nigeria Customs Service, Area 1 Command, Port Harcourt, has seized 10x20FT containers of FTC tomato paste and 2 x 20FT containers of canned mackerel fish.

According to the Customs Area Controller of the Command, Comptroller Mohammed Bande Boyi, the above seizures were achieved through the sustained policy of conducting 100% physical examinations by the officers of the Command on all consignments.

In a press release sent to TPCN yesterday by the Public Relations Officer of the Command, Mr Oscar Ivara, the Customs boss stated that the agent of the consignments falsely declared that the containers were laden with agricultural sprayers, but after a careful and painstaking physical examination, ten (10 x 20) of the containers were found to contain imported tomato paste in tins, while the remaining two (2×20) containers were carrying canned mackerel fish. The total duty paid value of the twelve containers amounts to N96, 638,953.00.

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According to the Area Controller, the declarations made by the agents contravened Sections 161 (2, 3, and 4) of the Customs and Excise Management Act (CEMA), LFN 2004 and that the consignments have been seized, adding that the Federal Government.

Speaking further on the anti-smuggling drive of the Command, Comptroller Boyi said that another major seizure of thirty-two (32) packages of pangolin scales which weighed 1500kg and has an estimated black market value of N826,200,000 was made at the Port Harcourt International Airport, on its way to the Republic of China.

The Controller, who described the interception as very timely, called on all stakeholders to join in the fight to combat and ultimately eradicate the International Trade on Wildlife which is the primary concern of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

Continuing, Boyi maintained that if the country is to rise above economic sabotage, especially in the areas of food security and sufficiency, all hands must be on deck to ensure that the Nigeria borders, which includes the seaports are constantly on alert to ensure that products which are detrimental to the growth and wellbeing of the Nation’s Economy and citizens are denied entry into the country.

In the area of revenue generation, he stated that from the months of January – October, 2019, the Command has generated a total revenue sum of Thirty Nine Billion, Three Hundred and Thirty Eight million, six hundred and Seventy Eight thousand, Nine hundred and twenty six naira, seven kobo (N 39,338,678,926.07) which indicates a surplus of Eight Billion, Six Hundred and Three Million, Seven Hundred and Twenty Nine Thousand, Two Hundred and Sixty Naira and Eighty One Kobo (N8,603,729,260.81) above the revenue generated in the same period of 2018.

Commenting on the revenue target of the Command for 2019 which stands at Forty Seven Billion, Nine Hundred and Thirty Three Million, One Hundred and Fifty Four Thousand, Six Hundred and Thirty Nine Naira, and Sixty Six Kobo (N47, 933,154,639.66), he retained optimism that the Command is determined to exceed its expected revenue target.