Joyce Mmereole Okoli
In a concerted effort to balance Nigeria’s foreign trade, The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has facilitated exports valued at N1,032,601,044,744.00 at Tin Can Island Port (TCIP) in the first six months of 2024.
This was announced by the Customs Area Controller, TCIP Command, Comptroller Dera Nnadi mni, during the Command’s half-year press briefing at the Maritime Reporter’s Association of Nigeria (MARAN) secretariat on Friday July 2024.
“The total Free On Board (FOB) value of NXP for commercial goods exported through Tin Can Island Ports in the first half of 2024 is N1,032,601,044,744.00 and a total volume of 489,594.50 Metric Tons (MT) as against export value of 1st half 2023 of N182,333,764,943.00 with a total volume of 291,436MT.”
“In terms of value, Soyabeans was the highest export commodity worth N 92,059,078,980.00 while self adhesive was the lowest export commodity with a value of N17,560,865.00,” said Nnadi.
He attributed the impressive export figures to enhanced stakeholder engagement, improved accessibility of port access roads, and increased efficiency from the Command’s officials.
In addition to export facilitation, Tin Can Island Customs generated N575 billion in revenue during the first half of 2024, reflecting a 221.13% increase compared to 2023. This represents an increase of N315,248,670,683.90 from the N260,256,942,120.69 generated in the corresponding period of the previous year.
Nnadi highlighted the role of Customs in revenue generation, trade facilitation, and anti-smuggling efforts.
“This 2024 half-year revenue represents an increase of N315, 248,670,683.90bn from the sum of N260,256,942,120.69bn revenue generated in the corresponding period in 2023. This aligned with the statutory functions of the Service in the areas of revenue generation, trade facilitation and enforcement/ anti-smuggling activities.”
“Customs, being the lead agency at the ports through its enforcement unit has coordinated several 100% physical examination under my supervision in collaboration with critical stakeholders to ensure that the Command is freed of any form of non-compliance to the international trade cycle,” he stated,
Among the items seized were three plastic drums and 46 bags containing 2,144 packets of Cannabis Indica, weighing 1,072 kg, imported from Canada. The street value of these illicit substances is approximately N3.216 billion. The total Duty Paid Value of all seizures amounted to N8.9 billion.
Nnadi emphasized that the significance of the seizures lies not in their monetary value but in preventing the distribution of illicit drugs, arms, and ammunition within the country. He also noted the modest gains and developments at TCIP since the launch of the Time Release Study (TRS) at the Command, with findings to be formally released by the Comptroller General of NCS, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR.
In conclusion, Nnadi called for increased stakeholder involvement in the TRS initiative and urged MARAN to continue its strategic role in the development of the port sector.