Area 2 Command, Onne Records N634bn As Revenue In 2024
Area 2 Command, Onne Records N634bn As Revenue In 2024
By Asuquo Nuwak
—Intercepts 12 containers of illicit medicine
The Area 2 command, Onne of Nigeria Customs Service, has recorded a total revenue of N634 billion, which accounts for 103 percent of the annual target, surpassing the revenue target of N618 billion.
This revenue figure is over the 2023 collection by N321 billion and represents 98 percent increase over the 2023 generated revenue.
The Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Mohammed Babandede, disclosed this during the end of the year press briefing on the successes the command have achieved throughout the year 2024.
He attributed the impressive revenue performance to the stakeholder engagement, synergy, collaboration and intelligence sharing.
He noted that the Area 2 Command, Onne has recorded another remarkable achievement in the ongoing battle against smuggling and illicit trade.
He said the vigilant officers and men of the command have successfully intercepted and seized an additional 12 containers 40 feet of illicit medicine.
He is quoted as saying that: “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”.
The breakdown of the seizures included
1,721,100 bottles of 100ml Cough Syrup Codeine; 510,000 tablets of 50mg Really Extra Diclofenac; 7,100,000 tablets of 225mg Royal apple Tramadol and Tramaking; 3,461 pieces of sanitary ware fittings used for concealment; 840 pieces of chilly cutter used for concealment and 153 cartons of TVS rubber with the Duty Paid Value of ₦20,309,890,800 for 12 containers.
He further stated that 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 their area of responsibility.
His words: “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”.
Comptroller Babandede appreciated the continued support and collaboration of all stakeholders, including the media, in amplifying their messages and efforts to combat smuggling. He is quoted as saying that: “Together, we can build a safer and healthier nation”.
He announced that it is worth noting that the morale and dedication of officers have been significantly bolstered by the Comptroller-General of Customs’ award, recognizing Area 2 Command as the best Command in anti-smuggling operations.
Comptroller Babandede is quoted as saying that: “This honor has further strengthened our resolve, and I assure you that we will not relent in performing our duties to protect the lives and well-being of Nigerians”.
Beside this, he noted that in the recently released 2024 promotion for general duty and support staff for officers and men of the service, some officers of Area 2 command were promoted as well.
According to the report, a total of 14 Deputy Comptrollers were elevated to the rank of Comptroller, while a total of 6 Assistant Comptrollers were elevated to the rank of Deputy Comptrollers, including 17 Chief Superintendent of Customs were elevated to the rank of Assistant Comptrollers.
Further breakdown of other newly promoted officers included 22 officers promoted 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.
Other Junior Officers promoted included 9 who got Inspector of Customs, 3 got Customs Assistant One and 3 got Customs Assistant Two.
He specially appreciated the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi mfr, 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. He said in keeping to his promise a total of eight officers of the command were given special promotion.
In the area of anti-smuggling operations, he said the command has made a total of 76 container seizures comprising of 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 the area of export, he announced that the major commodities exported through this axis comprises of agro and mineral resources namely: sesame seeds, aluminum ingot, granular urea in bulk, wheat bran, orange peel among others and 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.
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