2024: Onne Area 2 Customs Command Posts 98% Revenue Increase Over 2023

… surpassed target by 3%

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Area 2 Command, Onne has reported a total revenue generation of N634 billion in 2024, translating to a 98 per cent increase in the total revenue generation in 2023.

The Command also exceeded its 2023 revenue target by 3 per cent with the N634 billion which accounts for 103 per cent of the annual target of N618 billion it was given.

This amount is over the 2023 collection by N321 billion and represents 98 per cent increase over the 2023 generated revenue.

Customs Area Controller of the Command, Comptroller Mohammed Babandede, made the announcements at a press briefing on Tuesday, where he also announced that Area 2 Command, Onne has recorded another remarkable achievement in its ongoing battle against smuggling, having successfully intercepted and seized an additional 12 containers (40 feet) of illicit medicine.

“This is a testament to our unwavering commitment to safeguarding public health, ensuring security of our nation and compliance with Nigeria’s import regulations.

“This also justifies our commitment to trade facilitation, transparency, effective and efficient service delivery,” he said.

The Illicit drugs with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of ₦20,309,890,800 had 1,721,100 bottles of 100ml Cough Syrup Codeine, 510,000 tablets of 50mg Really Extra Diclofenac, and 7,100,000 tablets of 225mg Royal apple Tramadol and Tramaking.

Also in the containers were 3,461 pieces of Sanitary ware Fittings used for concealment, 840 pieces of Chilly cutter used for concealment as well and 153 cartons of TVS rubber.

The CAC said “this latest seizure underscores the passion and diligence of the officers and men of the Onne Command in ensuring that illicit drug and other harmful goods do not find their way into our country through our area of responsibility.

While appreciating the continued support and collaboration of all stakeholders, including the media in the fight against smuggling, he said “our efforts are geared toward securing the health and safety of our citizens while upholding the integrity of entry points into the country through the Onne Port axis.”

Babandede used the opportunity to also announce that a large number of officers in the Command were promoted in the recently released 2024 promotion for General Duty/Support Staff for officers and men of the NCS.

He said: “The Area 2 Command got some officers promoted as well. A total of 14 Deputy Comptrollers were elevated to the rank of Comptroller.

“A total of six Assistant Comptrollers were elevated to the rank of Deputy Comptrollers and 17 Chief Superintendent of Customs were elevated to the rank of Assistant Comptrollers.

“Other newly promoted officers include 22 to Chief Superintendent of Customs, four to Superintendent of Customs, 18 to Deputy Superintendent of Customs, 14 to Assistant Superintendent of One and .16 to Assistant Superintendent of Two.

“Junior Officers were also promoted as nine got Inspector of Customs, three got Customs Assistant One and three got Customs Assistant Two.

He specially appreciated the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, who in September this year promised to reward Officers and men of the Command for the role they played in the Interception of 844 units of riffles and 112,500 pieces of live ammunition.

“In keeping to his promise a total of eight officers of the Command were given special promotion.

In a breakdown of the activities of the Command in the outgoing year, he said the Command in the area of anti-smuggling made a total of 76 container seizures comprising arms, ammunition, illicit medicine, vegetable oil, foot wares, donkey skin, used cloths among others uncustomed goods used as concealment with a duty paid value of ₦150,872,551,207.

In export, the major commodities exported through this axis, according to him comprises Agro and Mineral resources namely: sesame seeds, aluminum ingot, granular urea in bulk, wheat bran, orange peel among others.

Also a total of 2,707,339.22 Metric tonnes of goods with a free on board (FOB) value of $952,986, 490.99 which is equivalent to ₦1,261,039,933,168.99 was processed through the Command this year.