By Ajibola Adedoye
Dr. Ben Oramalugo, Customs Area Controller of Oyo/Osun Area Command has announced realizing the sum of ₦71,292,530,398.17 (Seventy-One Billion, Two Hundred and Ninety-Two Million, Five Hundred and Thirty Thousand, Three Hundred and Ninety-Eight Naira, Seventeen Kobo) as the cumulative sum collected for the fiscal year of 2023.
Oramalugo made this known while briefing journalists at the headquarters of the Command on Friday January 19, 2024.
“During the period covering November and December 2023, the Oyo/Osun Area Command collected the sum of ₦5,030,694,597.05 (Five Billion, and Thirty Million, Six Hundred and Ninety-Four Thousand, Five hundred and Ninety-Seven Naira Five Kobo) and ₦7,173,852,130.48 (Seven Billion, One Hundred and Seventy-Three Million, Eight Hundred and Fifty-Two Thousand, One Hundred and Thirty Naira, Forty-Eight Kobo) respectively into the Federation and Non-Federation Accounts. When added to the sum of ₦59,087,983,670.64 (Fifty-Nine Billion, and Eighty-Seven Million, Nine Hundred and Eighty-Three Thousand, Six Hundred and Seventy Naira, Sixty-Four Kobo) already collected for the period of January to October 2023” the CAC outlined.
He noted that the revenue was realized whilst performing the primary duties of the service, in terms of revenue collection , suppression of smuggling and legitimate trade facilitation for the period covering 11th November 2023 to 31st December 2023, as well as to outline our strategic plans for the year 2024.
“This significant contribution to the nation’s economic development, despite the global and local challenges that impacted trade, was made possible through fair and efficient revenue collection, continuous implementation of measures to further simplify customs processes and the resolve of Command Officers and Men to work tirelessly while religiously enforcing provisions of our new extant laws (NCS ACT 2023) aimed at facilitating legitimate trade and ensuring that customs duties and taxes were collected efficiently” he noted.
Speaking further Dr. Ben Oramalugo said
“Our commitment to combating smuggling activities has remained unwavering in 2023 and during the period under review, the Oyo/Osun Area Command has intensified efforts to curb illicit trade, safeguard national security and protect local industries from unfair competition. With the use of Coordinated Border Management, Intelligence-driven Risk Management and continuous Patrol/Enforcement Operations, we conducted numerous successful patrol operations that led to the interception and seizure of many contraband goods.
“During the period of 11th November to 31 December 2023 the Command intercepted and seized the following contraband goods.
“When added to the worth of contraband goods already seized between January to October 2023, with a DPV of ₦358,267,019.00 the cumulative sum of ₦454,235,559.00 is the DPV of contraband goods intercepted and seized for the year of 2023.
“For the period of 1st January to 18th January 2024 the Command has also intercepted and seized the following contraband goods.
“Highlights of the seizures for the year 2023 and so far in 2024 include: 88 (Eighty-Eight) Sacks and 349 (Three Hundred and Forty-Nine) Wraps of Cannabis Sativa with a DPV of ₦47,854,800.00 (Forty-Seven Million, Eight Hundred and Fifty-Four Thousand, Eight Hundred Naira).100,900 (One Hundred Thousand, Nine Hundred ) Litres equivalent to (4,036 Kegs) of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) with a DPV of ₦18,220,400.00 (Eighteen Million, Two Hundred and Twenty Thousand, Four Hundred Naira Only)9,595 (Nine Thousand, Five Hundred and Ninety-Five) (50kg) bags of Foreign Parboiled Rice with a DPV of ₦181,915,800.00 (One Hundred and Eighty-One Million, Nine Hundred and Fifteen Thousand, Eight Hundred Naira) and35 (Thirty-Five) Units of used vehicles with a DPV of ₦134,196,800.00 (One Hundred and Thirty-Four Million, One Hundred and Ninety-Six Thousand, Eight Hundred Naira).177 (One Hundred and Seventy-Seven) Bales and 13 (Thirteen) Sacks of Second hand clothing with a DPV of ₦53,640,000.00 (Fifty-Three Million, Six Hundred and Forty, Thousand Naira)3,702 (Three Thousand Seven Hundred and Two) Pieces of Used Tyres with a DPV of ₦11,227,200.00 (Eleven Million, Two Hundred and Twenty-Seven Thousand, Two Hundred Naira)100 Pieces of uncut Timber with a DPV of 7,700,000.00 (Seven Million, Seven Hundred Thousand Naira)” he stated.
The Oyo/Osun Area Controller however expressed his gratitude to the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi and his Management Team, for their continuous support to the Command which has led to the realization of set objective and enhanced performance by the Command.
According to Oramalugo “the milestone recorded by the Command was made possible through timely sharing of credible intelligence and synergy between all Units of the Nigeria Customs Service resident with Oyo/Osun State. It is also important to note the collaborative effort of Sister Security Agencies such as the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Air force, Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services, NDLEA, Oyo State Operation Burst and Amotekun Corps which are highly appreciated.
“We would also like to appreciate the efforts of all Traditional Rulers, Local Government Chairmen and Key Stakeholders in both Oyo and Osun States, who have continued to enlighten their people about the negative effect of smuggling to our economy. We would like to implore them to continue the great work while assuring them that the Service and the Command will leave no stone unturned to ensure smuggling is suppressed to the barest minimum.
He so implored all patriotic residents of Oyo and Osun States as well as members of the general public to provide useful information that could be used to apprehend economic saboteurs in their environment to the Command, in order to rid the society of all individuals with such nefarious intentions, to protect the local industries and improve the Commands service delivery.
While celebrating our successes, it is essential to acknowledge the challenges encountered during the past year. The ever dynamic nature of smuggling activities, coupled with the ever-evolving tactics employed by perpetrators, constantly pose challenges to Command Officers while carrying out their legitimate duties.