The Tincan Island Port Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced significant achievements in enforcement and anti-smuggling activities for the year 2023. According to the Area Comptroller, Dera Nnadi, the Enforcement and Anti-smuggling Unit recorded a total of 47 seizures and 96 detentions, showcasing a formidable effort in maintaining port security.
Among the seized items were 1,264 packages of hemp weighing 473.50kg, valued at N118.4 million, concealed in various containers from eight separate seizures.
The customs authorities also discovered and detained 10 sacks of used clothing, five used fridges, matches, De Ruth Tomato Paste, unregistered pharmaceutical products, bulk charcoal, various arms, ammunition, used shoes, and a variety of other items.
The Detention and Seizure activities resulted in a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N47.4 million, contributing to a total DPV of the seized goods and narcotics valued at an impressive N3.2 billion.
In addition to these enforcement actions, the port witnessed a substantial volume of containers used for goods transport, with 50,297 containers utilized from January to December 2023.
The breakdown included 15,289 20ft containers, 34,557 40ft containers, and 451 45ft containers. The importation statistics also revealed 1,430 new vehicles and 4342 used ones imported through the ports.
The Customs boss, Dera Nnadi, highlighted the revenue generation efforts, stating that the enforcement unit, through demand notices, contributed a sum of N210.8 million to the command. Moreover, he acknowledged the critical role played by various units within the Customs Service and sister regulatory agencies in making these seizures and detentions possible.
On the export front, goods exported through Tincan Island Port for the year amounted to 623,694.7 metric tonnes, with a total Free on Board (FOB) worth N489.2 billion.
The products exported included agricultural items, locally manufactured goods, and mineral resources, showcasing an impressive growth of 85.5 per cent in tonnage and a 101.9 per cent increase in FOB value compared to the previous year.
Highlighting the importance of digital transformation, Nnadi mentioned the automation of the Bond unit in Customs operations at Tincan Island Port, signifying a major step in streamlining operations, promoting transparency, efficient Cargo Tracking System, and enhancing data accuracy. This move reflects the port’s commitment to staying at the forefront of technological advancements in customs operations.
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