The year 2023 has been described a ‘tough’ year for Smugglers following intensified operations that led to large confiscation of smuggled goods.
The Controller in-charge of Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Calabar Free Trade Zone, AH Waziri made this known to Blazon News Nigeria in an effort to update the public about successes recorded by his command.
According to him, the Command’s resort to block every means of evading men of the service led to an increase in revenue generation with a 29.29% increase as against Revenue generated for the year 2022.
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Waziri stated that Nineteen Billion, Four Hundred and Eighty Eight Million, Four Hundred and Seventy Two Thousand, Nine Hundred and Eighty Four Naira, Ten Kobo only (N19,488,472,984.10k) was generated during the year under review.
The figures above showed an increase of Four Billion, Four Hundred and Ten Million, Five Hundred and Hundred and Eighty Thirty Nine Thousand, Five (N4,410,589,583.00k) only this is against the Fifteen Billion, and Seventy Seven Million, Eight Hundred and Eighty Three Thousand, One Hundred and Thirty One Naira (N15,077,883,131.00k) only generated in 2022.
He said the feat couldn’t have been possible without the co-operation of officers/men of the Command and collaboration with CIU, CPU, Border Drill & FOU respectively. He also acknowledged the collaboration of relevant sister agencies as well as the efforts of Traditional Rulers, LGA Chairmen and other stakeholders in both states.
Waziri warned that all those who are into illegitimate trade around his jurisdiction better have a rethink and follow due process because the Area will not be safe either for their activities this year 2024.
“We are out to use all our efforts and Intelligence to map out strategies in making sure the target for the year is being achieved”.
Items confiscated include 838 bags of 50kg foreign parboiled rice which 500 bags were allocated to IDPs leaving a balance of 338 bags, 54 bales of second hand clothing, 181 pieces and 22 (4×1) bundles of used tyres.
Others are; 103 cartons of Tomatoes paste, 8 drums, 200 litres each of foreign parboiled rice and 1250 pieces of Timber Wood with a total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N57,242,011.00K.
However, despite these successes, the controller lamented that the Command experiences some security challenges as it concerns; Border closure in Oron, Ambassonia activities at Mfum and Militia’s operation at Ikang.
Furthermore, Comptroller Waziri thanked the CGC and his Management Team for being solidly behind them which made it possible for them to attend the present height.