CGC Adewale Reiterates Commitment to Penalize Economic Saboteurs

…as NCS Trains Staff on Geospatial Technology

ZAINAB JUNAID

As part of his commitment to intensify Nigeria Customs Service(NCS)’s efficiency, leverage technology to enhance trade and curb smuggling amongst other criminalities, the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, on Wednesday, 1st November 2023, initiated a two-day workshop on GEOSPATIAL techniques for the officers and men of the Service.

The program, according to the CGC, ably represented by Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs in charge of Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC), Sa'idu Galadima, will enlighten the officers to have a practical understanding of border security — which will yield positive results in boosting Nigeria's economy.

He spoke on the CGC's passion for intensifying the Service's efficiency, leveraging technology to enhance trade and curb smuggling amongst other criminalities.

The DCG described him as “a person who extremely supports technology.”

On her part, the Assistant  Comptroller-General of Customs for ICT/Modernization, Kikelomo Adeola, said introducing GEOSPATIAL technology training for Customs officers will enable the Service to maximize its war against smuggling.

She said, “Gone are those days when officers carry guns to scout smugglers in the bushes; that's why we deemed it necessary to introduce this geospatial program to equip our staff with requisite experience in checkmating smuggling activities while in their offices.”

According to her, the workshop, if concluded, will enable the Service to detect all the illegal and unapproved routes made by smugglers across the border areas and also deploy intervention to thwart their nefarious activities.

She said, “This training will go a long way in strengthening Customs' unflinching efforts to improve trade in Nigeria, so geospatial doesn't only give insight to our offices to mitigate smuggling through technological moonroof, but also gives accurate and timely intelligence to ensure that anti-smuggling activities are perfectly achieved.”

Onne Customs Generates N246.03bn from January to October 2023

 ...Arrests two in Connection with Pistol and Ammunition, Seizes goods worth N1.2bn DPV

ZAINAB JUNAID

Port Harcourt 2 Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service Onne, has generated a total of ₦246,025,872,903.80 from January to October 2023, an increase of ₦44,145,889,008.65 from the amount generated in 2022 within the same period under review.

Speaking at a press briefing organized by the Command on Friday, November 3, 2023, to showcase seizures made and also handover two suspects arrested in connection with pistol and ammunition, Customs Area Controller of the Command to Nigerian Police Force, Comptroller Baba Imam disclosed that the Command realized over 38 Billion Naira for the month of October alone, surpassing its monthly revenue target of 28 Billion Naira with an increment of over 10 Billion Naira.

On seizures made, Comptroller Baba revealed that in the course of examining an imported container from United State which was declared to contain household effects and One used vehicle, was found to contain One pistol and 100 rounds of ammunition on the 26th of October 2023.

According to him,“two suspects have been arrested in connection with this importation. The pistol, ammunition as well as the two suspects shall all be handed over to the Nigerian police force shortly after this press briefing, as criminal cases relating to our collaborative functions with other Government agencies are handed over to the appropriate authorities for further investigation and prosecution.”

Comptroller Baba added that as part of the commitment to reducing the incidences of smuggling to the bearest minimum within its terrain, the Command has also seized  9 containers which worth a total duty paid value of ₦1,162,424,371.00 for violations of extant import prohibition laws.

The goods concealed in the containers  include -  724 bales of used clothing, 1805 pieces of used tyres,   4 Vehicles used in concealment of 76.9kg special cannabis (marijuana), 2070 cartons of Tomatoe paste, and 1578 cartons of Barcadin Cough syrup with codeine (100ml) among others.

Correcting the notion that Nigeria Customs Service(NCS) is always delighted in impounding containers or making seizures, the Command Boss noted that the seizures are done to enforce the laws of the nation and to serve as deterrent to others.

His words, "The Command and indeed the Customs of today has zero tolerance to smuggling and has no cause not to perform, as every encouragement, logistics and other incentives have been given by our amiable Comptroller General of Customs, BASHIR ADEWALE ADENIYI, MFR, and that has boosted the morale of all officers to be more determined than ever to fight smuggling."