LAGOS: Ogun State Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service says it generates N3.4 billion as revenue in six months from Ogun-Republic of Benin borders, representing duty paid value payable on all imports between January and June this year.
According to the State Area Command, the value of duty payable on imports between January and June, represents about 73 percent increase in revenue generated in the same period last year, adding that the Command recorded N3,401,647,417.34 revenue during the year under review as against N2,543,266,323.43 generated in the same period last year.
Speaking at Idi-Iroko border in Ipokia Local Council Area of Ogun State on Tuesday, Haruna Mamudu, Customs Comptroller declared that the Command’s effort at curbing smuggling into the country were yielded fruitful results in the war against smuggling and smugglers, saying efforts would be intensified against illegally imported goods and illegalities in and around the borders.
While warning smugglers to find another means of livelihood as smuggled cars and poultry products remain banned under the law, the comptroller said that hundreds of second hand cars that were ferried through illegal routes from Benin Republic to Nigeria were recently impounded at Idiroko and the culprits would be taken to court.
The Comptroller also disclosed that the State Area Command made 515 seizures, with duty paid value of N445, 399, 838.00 as against 737 seizures with duty paid value of N880, 002, 012.00 in the same period in 2014.
For poultry products, Mamudu urged smugglers to stop importing injurious poultry products that are harmful to Nigerians, saying the poultry products are usually preserved with chemicals that are used to embalm dead human bodies.
He however, called on Nigerians to embrace and patronise locally bred livestock and poultry products, which he said, would not only guarantee their safety, but would also enhance the nation’s economic growth.
