By Aisha Cole and Uche Eletuo
Lagos – The Kirikiri Lighter Terminal Command of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) says it generated revenue of N7.39 billion between January and June 2017
It also intercepted a 20ft container of substandard cables with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N20 million.
The Area Controller, Comptroller Lami Wushishi, disclosed this while handing over the container of substandard cables to officials of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) on Friday in Lagos.
“The command intercepted the container following the Customs’ mandate to suppress smuggling of prohibited and substandard products under any guise into the country.
“The container with No GLDU957059 which originated from China was falsely declared as Regulators, but contained Fire Resistant Cables.
“Printed on the package is ‘Super Kendrasmat Nigeria Wire Cable’.
“The electrical products imported do not have any form of accreditation or documentation from any of the approved Federal Government product regulatory agencies,’’ Wushishi said.
She said that the documentation of the consignment was false and that this led to the seizure.
Wushishi handed over the container to the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) for proper disposal in line with the Customs and Excise Management Act., Cap C45 LFN 2004, Section 67(2).
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the command had also intercepted two 40ft containers of pharmaceutical products which it handed over to the National Agency for Food Drugs and Control (NAFDAC) in June 2017.
The controller, however, said that the command would continue the robust inter-agency relationship with other sister agencies for effective compliance with fiscal policy aimed at trade facilitation.
She said that no suspect was apprehended along with the seizure.
Wushishi said the N7.39 billion from January to June 2017 was against the N2.09 billion generated in the corresponding period of 2016.
She said that the revenue generated by the command in the first six months of the year represented 353 per cent increase over revenue generated in 2016.
Wushishi urged ports operators to ensure honest declarations for seamless clearance of cargoes and to avoid seizures.
Mr Chike Makwe, an official of SON, commended the efforts of Nigeria Customs and urged it not to relent so as to save Nigerians from substandard products, especially from overseas.
Makwe said that he would deliver the message to the Director-General of SON, Dr Osita Aboloma.
“The container is going to our warehouse for further control checks and all other technical procedures will be carried out on the cable.
“Our director-general will be able to give further clarification on the products,” Makwe said.
He promised that SON would not relent in its efforts in protecting Nigerians against substandard products. (NAN)
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