The Edo/ Delta command of the Customs Service generated more than N10.9 billion in the first half of this year. The Area Controller of the Command, Compt Olomu disclosed also to newsmen yesterday that no less than N24.5 billion was recorded as FOB value on exports.
REVENUE COLLECTION: For the first quarter 2023, inspite of the obvious challenges recorded in the trade supply chain occasioned by lull in port activities, Edo/Delta Area command was able to generate a total revenue of Ten Billion, Nine Hundred and Ninety Four Million, Eight Hundred and Fifty Two Thousand, Four Hundred and Eleven Naira Fifty Kobo (N10, 994,852,411.50) and remitted same to the Federation and Non- Federation accounts of the Federal Government. Additionally, excise duty also forms a steady and reliable part of our monthly/annual revenue collections.
The main area of Excise duty collection in the Command is Guiness Brewery, Coca-Cola and 7up Bottling Company which all together accounted for a total of One Billion Four Hundred and Ninety Three Million Four Hundred and Fifteen Thousand, Eight Hundred and Nine Naira Five Kobo N1, 493,415,809.
When compared to the corresponding period last year, the command had an increase of Seven Hundred and Twenty Seven Million, Thirty Six Thousand, Eighty Nine Naira Seventy Five Kobo (N727, 036, 089.75); this indicates an increased collection of 6.8%. We are determined to do more and possible surpass our revenue target for the year 2023, by God’s grace.
Also for the first quarter of the year, the command was able to raise 13 demand notice (DN) as compared to 8 demand notice for the corresponding period of 2022. The demand notice of 2023 is worth Seventy Eight Million, Nine Hundred and Ninety Thousand, Eight Hundred and Nine Naira (N78, 990,809.00).
The above feat was realised because of our doggedness and determination to make a change against all odds and the enormous support of our stakeholders, inspite of not having regular vessels berthing in Warri port for some time due to the very shallow depth of the port as well as perceived security concerns around the metropolis. I look forward to a continuous rise in revenue generation in the second quarter of the year based on the level of stakeholders engagement which we intend to leverage upon.
EXPORT FOR 2023: Statistics from the export seat shows that the free on board (FOB) value for oil export for the first quarter of 2023 stood at Twenty Four Billion, Five Hundred and Seventy Six Million, and Thirty Nine Thousand Nine Hundred and Twenty Six Dollar, Ninety Six Cents (USD$24,576,039,926.96). While the non-oil export value stood at Three Hundred and Ninety Two Thousand, Two Hundred and Eighty Dollar, Seventy Nine Cents (USD$392,280.79).
SECURITY: Towards ensuring the security of seizures and detentions domiciled in the Command, the Area was recently blessed with an ultra-modern Government warehouse in Benin outstation Aduwawa, where seizures brought in by Federal Operation Unit Zone ‘C’ Owerri, Strike Force Unit Zone ‘C’ and Joint Border Drill Patrol team are been handed over to officers and men of Edo/Delta command for proper documentation and safe keeping. The Command currently is in custody of seizures with duty paid value in excess of Twenty Seven Million Naira (N27, 000,000.00) within the first quarter of the year 2023. Mere words cannot convey the depth of our gratitude to the CGC and his management team for this beautiful piece of art constructed at the Benin outstation of the Area Command.
INTER-DEPARTMENTAL COOPERATION/COMMUNITY RELATIONS: The Command enjoys synergy with relevant stakeholders which include but not limited to, NPA Port Manager, Air force Commander, Navy Commander, Department of State Services Edo/Delta State as well as the NDLEA Port Commander amongst others. On my assumption of office, I paid homage to the Olu of Warri with my management team to receive the King’s blessings. These entire visits were geared towards a robust collaboration between the Service and my counterparts to aid in a seamless process of carrying out my statutory functions.
INFRASTRUCTURE: This press briefing will be incomplete if I fail to recognise in uttermost respect the special attention, love, dedication and care the Comptroller General of Nigeria Customs Service and the entire Management team have accorded the Command. In general, their support and encouragement has been overwhelming and has yielded the following capital projects for the Command.
STAKEHOLDERS MEETING: On assumption of duty, I immediately summoned a stakeholders meeting because they are the heartbeat of the Nigeria Customs Service. I also went further to scrutinize the operations of the Export Seat, Forcados Terminal and Escravos Export Terminal on the activities relating to the lifting and exportation of crude oil. This led to a stakeholders meeting of the International Oil Companies (IOC’s), Pre-Shipment Inspection Agencies (PIA’s) and the Local Oil Companies (LOC’s) operating within the Command.
CONCLUSION: It is quite instructive to note that these unprecedented achievements were made possible because of the tireless commitment of our Officer/Men as well as the enormous cooperation received from our stakeholders.The Command has achieved a robust harmony with all Government agencies in the Warri Port, especially our host the NPA as well as other sister agencies (Nigeria Navy, DSS, NDLEA and NAFDAC) whose tremendous contribution was instrumental to the achievement recorded in the first quarter of this year.We look forward to a strengthened synergy in the remaining months of the year 2023.
Finally, I wish to once again thank the Comptroller General of Customs, Col. Hammed Ibrahim Ali (Rtd), NPOM, CFR and his management team for their continuous support and encouragement. I also wish to use this medium to thank our valuable stakeholders in the clearance value chain and all Government agencies operating in the Port as well as the media for their unalloyed support.