Richard Ginika Izuora
The Nigeria Customs Service Ogun I Area Command has generated a sum of N28.4 million through import duties, auction sales of scrap vehicles, and petroleum products.
The Area Controller in charge of Ogun I Area Command, Comptroller, Bamidele Makinde, who disclosed this also added that legitimate goods were processed under the ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme (ETLS).
He also shed light on the Command’s relentless efforts in suppressing the menace of smuggling in the area, adding that the Command has also succeeded in intercepting 6,743 bags of smuggled foreign parboiled rice, 19,806 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), 18 units of vehicles purposely used for the conveyance of smuggled goods, 64 Sacks of Cannabis Sativa and 824 wraps of book, bread and coconut sizes.
According to Bamidele, other seized items were 29 pieces of Artifact, one unit of Motorcycles used for the conveyance of prohibited items, 73 bales of Secondhand clothing, 14 Sacks of foreign used shoes, 900 pieces of foreign used tyres, and 520 cartons of frozen poultry products.
The Area Controller who said the total number of seizures were 115, also narrated that the operation was carried out at different locations such as Abeokuta axis, Ilaro axis, and Ipokia/Idiroko axis, all with total Duty Payable Value of N231.2 million.
In the area of trade facilitation, the Comptroller reiterated his commitment to existing relationship with the business community considering their contribution to the economy of the nation.
He urged the traders to avoid any form of illicit trade that will tarnish their image and threatened to deal with smugglers mercilessly.
