Seme Customs Command Grossed N1.5bn In Dec Over Ban On Vehicle Importation

Area commander of Seme Command, Compt. Dimka Victor David
Area commander of Seme Command, Compt. Dimka Victor David

By Lordson Okpetu

The Customs Area Comptroller of Seme Command, Compt. Dimka Victor David, has disclosed that the Seme command exceeded its monthly revenue target in Dec 2016; grossing N1.5bn in the month of Dec alone.

This was made known in a press statement signed by the spokesperson of the command, Taupyen Selchang, on Friday.

Compt. Dimka attributed his command’s feat to the commitment of his officers and men as well as the recent policy pronouncement of the Federal Government banning the importation of new and fairly used vehicles through the land borders.

In the comptroller’s words, “the policy statement on the restriction of new and fairly used vehicles through the land borders brought about an upsurge in the number of vehicles escorted into Seme border, which translated to the increase in the Command’s revenue figure realized.”

You will recall that Concise News has earlier reported that the Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone ‘A’ Ikeja of the Nigerian Customs Service also recorded N1.3bn in December 2016; and attributed its feat to voluntarily payment of appropriate duties on goods and vehicles imported through land before the the ban on vehicles through land borders takes effect on January 1, 2017.

Compt. Dimka further disclosed that the quest of the command to remain passionate and resolute in enforcing the fiscal policies of the Federal Government cannot be over emphasized.

Seme command is battle ready

Dimka said that the Seme Command is battle-ready to implement the Federal Government policy to the latter.

The comptroller stated that because the wisdom of the Federal Government is above every common sense, the Command has strategized and is still re-strategizing towards the implementation process bearing in mind that dare-devil smugglers can be brutal and deadly.

The Customs Area Comptroller further disclosed that presently, the vehicle seat in Seme border Command has been disbanded and its officers re-deployed to beef up border patrols for effective implementation of the Federal government policy.

He said the command is fully committed to enforcing the ban on vehicle importation through land after Jan 1st, 2017, the same way it enforced the ban on smuggling of rice.

He enjoined the general public and stakeholders to be adequately sensitized and stay away from buying vehicles through the land borders to avoid loses.

The Comptroller re-emphasized that facilitating legitimate trade is one of Customs’ core mandate. He, however, noted that legitimate trade in new and fairly used vehicles into Nigeria is now strictly facilitated at the seaports.

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