Customs
Customs trails fleeing exporters of 11 containers of unprocessed timber abandoned at Apapa Port.
Funso OLOJO
Members of syndicate who specialize in illegal exportation of contraband items are currently on the run when the 11 containers of raw, unprocessed timber which they attempted to smuggle out of the country, were intercepted and seized by the Lilypond Export Command of the Nigeria Customs Service.
The illicit export, skillfully packaged in 11 20- footer containers with a market value of $295,944.00, were surreptitiously ferried to Apapa Port through barges and without going through official procedures before they were intercepted.
Briefing newsmen on Wednesday, November 27th, 2024, at the APM terminal , Apapa where the illicit exports were showcased to journalists, the Area Controller Lilypond Export Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, Comptroller Ajibola Odusanya, revealed that the contraband exports were intercepted on a tip off through intelligence report.
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“Acting on credible intelligence, a combined team of the Lilypond Export Command officers and officers of the Customs Intelligence Unit (CIU) following the discharge of some export bound containers at the barge area of Apapa Port on October 11, 2024 intercepted and detained these containers suspected to being used for smuggling.
” A total of Eleven units of 20FT containers fully laden with Rough/Sawn Timber have been seized.
“This consignment is estimated to having a M value of Two Hundred and Ninety-Five Thousand, Nine Hundred and Forty- Four US Dollars ($295,944.00)”
“The LEXC on November 1,2024 scheduled the suspected containers for hundred percent physical examination and they were found to contain raw and unprocessed timber which contravene Schedule 6 of the Common External Tariff (CET).
“Particulars of these Eleven containers are TRLU9354677, MRKU9991028, TCLU2179830, TCLU2179830, MSKU5051480, MRKU7071648, MSKU5894593, MSKU5051480, MRKU7071648, MSKU5894593, TCLU2543324, MSKU3929849, MSKU7323470, MSKU5953248, and GAOU2550990”
Comptroller Odusanya declared that the intercepted exports have since been converted to seizure going by the relevant section of the Nigeria Customs Service Act of 2023.
He reiterated his command’s resolve not to sacrifice compliance of exporters to exant laws and guidelines on the altar of trade facilitation, promising harsh consequences for whoever dares the resolve of his command.
“It is important, I reiterate that we have a resolve not to sacrifice compliance on the altar of trade facilitation as we shall always prevent the export of any consignment that run in conflict with the laws of our country.
“It is in the light of this that the command notifies the general public of its latest fight against smuggling and defiance to extant Customs laws and regulations”
The Customs controller revealed that the command has not yet apprehended the faceless exporters as there was no documentation on this illicit exports to trace them.
He however promised that investigation has commenced to apprehend the fleeing culprits as the illicit consignment was handed over to the forestry department of the Ministry of Environment.
“I assure that the long arms of the law would catch up with anyone that dares our resolve.
” This further underscores the CGC’s zero tolerance for smuggling, even in the area of export.
” It goes further to confirm our alertness with the support of other units within the service and sister government agencies to detect and prevent criminal activities in the area of export” Comptroller Odusanya declared.
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Customs
Customs, WCO train officers in technology- driven border security
Funso OLOJO
In a bid to strengthen border security through innovative data-driven approaches, the World Customs Organization – Organisation Mondiale des Douanes (WCO), in collaboration with the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), concluded a five-day workshop on Friday, 6 December 2024, tagged “n-Ceen.”
The training, held at the Project Management Office of Trade Modernisation Project Office situated in the Service’s Management Quarters in Abuja, was aimed at equipping officers with skills in data gathering and analysis to enhance national security and enforcement operations.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, the Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs in charge of ICT/Modernisation, DCG Kikelomo Adeola, highlighted the strategic importance of the training in achieving the Service’s objectives.
According to her, “This training, organised in collaboration with the WCO, underscores the Comptroller-General of Customs’ commitment to secure our nation’s borders.
” No man is an island; we cannot achieve this in isolation. Collaboration, particularly with skilled personnel, is essential.”
DCG Adeola explained that the workshop provided officers with cutting-edge tools to protect lives and properties and also to proactively deploy interventions where most needed.
She also stated that the training will reduce risks, including mob actions against customs personnel.
The training was meticulously planned, with participants selected from various zones and units, including enforcement, intelligence, ICT, and investigations, to ensure continuity and the dissemination of expertise.
Jean Bigirimana, a WCO facilitator from Burundi, praised the NCS for embracing technology as a critical component of border security, explaining that, “the n-Ceen tool is designed to assist member countries in gathering intelligence and making informed decisions.”
“The n-Ceen application enables Customs administrations to collect and harmonise data, which can then be used to target high-risk cases effectively.
” During this workshop, we trained participants on the features and functionalities of n-Ceen, empowering them to apply this knowledge in their respective domains.” Bigirimana said.
Customs
From Cabin to the Cockpit
Customs
B’Odogwu, home-made customs trading platform, gains momentum at PTML
–— as more banks embrace local ICT platform
— PTML customs reaps revenue windfall
Funso OLOJO
B’Odogwu, an indigenous customs trading platform currently being test run at the Ports Terminal Multi services Limited(PTML) command of the Nigeria Customs Service, has gained a momentum in the command as more operators are embracing the new trading platform.
Already,17 banks have indicated their interests to sign on the platform to join the existing five banks currently hooked up to the trading platform.
In addition, the PTML Customs command has started to reap revenue windfall triggered by the new trading platform as it generated N44.9 billion in November, the highest monthly revenue ever generated in the history of the command.
An elated Area controller of the command, Comptroller Tenny Daniyan, said B’Odogwu trading platform has come to stay in the Command.
As a pilot command for the operation of the indigenous platform, Comptroller Daniyan advised stakeholders to embrace and rally round the new ICT platform as their own, adding that the command has parted ways with the old Customs platform NICIS11.
The Area Controller also debunked information alleging that four vessels have been unattended to at the PTML berth due to B’Odogwu failure is untrue.
He disclosed that the command met with some of the stakeholders earlier in the week where all issues bordering on the challenges experienced by agents were addressed and they were advised to engage the implementation team for further assistance
He added that to facilitate trade, the command has bent backwards by applying manual methods to process cargoes and has established interface with the terminal operator to accommodate port users that have made entries on the platform.
The Controller said most agents claiming inability to capture have not registered on the platform and urged them to come forward for capture to address any challenge.
The CAC said “B’Odogwu is a Nigerian baby that should be fed by Nigerians .
” We are weaning our baby from a foreign mother and I urge all Nigerians to support it.
“We are not going back to NICIS II. The use of NICIS II platform has come to an end in PTML as this is the position of the Service.
” We are aware that some of our agents are yet to be fully acquainted with the additional requirements that were not involved in NICIS II.
“As the problems come up, we are solving them.
“Note that the management has dispatched an implementation team here to ensure our stakeholders don’t suffer.
” We were disconnected from NICIS II three months ago and we have fully commenced implementation to grow our own teeth and serve the country better. We have left NICIS here in PTML.
“We are committed to get it right here before moving to Tin Can and other ports.
“Our turn around time for properly declared RoRo cargo is still two hours but this is dependent on compliance by the declarant.
“As a command, we will not sacrifice national security and revenue on the altar of trade facilitation.
” So far in November,292 bills of laden have been captured in November, 375 are yet to capture.
“As at today, Wednesday over 98 people have paid their duties under B’Odogwu platform as more banks are coming on board” he said
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Chief Remi Ogungbemi of {AMATO}
November 29, 2024 at 11:42 am
Good enough that the Containers are not on trucks, if it were on the truck, the trucks would have been arrested, impounded or auctioned,putting /subjecting Owner of the trucks to disarray and abject poverty, as means of his livelihoods with has family members has been taken away from him.