Kelechi Esogwa-Amadi
The Comptroller-General of Nigerian Customs, Hameed Ali has lambasted smugglers of banned goods and agents who aid them in the act.
Speaking in on Wednesday, October 30, 2019, when he visited the Port Harcourt Ports to see the containers of pangolin scales, tomato paste and mackerel fish seized by the Port Harcourt Area 1 Command of the Nigerian Customs, Ali said the partial border closure by the Federal Government of Nigeria is helping to transform the economy of the country by facilitating more patronage of locally manufactured goods.
According to him, the ongoing policy is in the best interest of Nigerians who are now being protected from consuming harmful foods that would have been smuggled into the country if not for the partial border closure.
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Commending the Command for making the seizures, the Customs CG said the feat was a sign that security is improving at the nation’s ports, adding that with the partial border close, farmers are now enjoying more patronage while more rooms are being created for expansion of local businesses.
“It is becoming clearer for those who had some doubts about the rationale to partially close the land borders that, indeed, we have a lot to gain. Security is improving; farmers are enjoying more patronage and are able to engage more hands to expand.
“Seizures of harmful things like these only show how we are being better protected from consuming wholesome edibles,” he said.
He said the 1530kg Pangolin Scales falsely declared as Shales – a raw material for analysis – for export and captured on SGD No. E296 of 01/10/2019 with Air Way Bill No. 172-9474-8124 by Divine Help International Limited (the declarant) on behalf of Optimal Logistics Limited (the exporter) seized by Port Harcourt Area 1 Customs Command, has a black market value of N826, 200,000.00 (Eight hundred and twenty-six million, two hundred thousand naira) while the 10 ft container-load of tomato paste and 2ft container of canned mackerel fish falsely declared to be carrying agricultural sprayers have a total duty paid value of N96, 638, 953.00.
“The declarations contravened section 161 (2,3 and 4) of CEMA, LFN 2004 and the consignments are therefore seized.
“I urge officers of this Command to keep up the good job and to our media friends, please support us by continuously informing and educating the public about the necessity of what we do,” the CG added.
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