THE COMPTROLLER OF CUSTOMS, CHIDI CHUKWUMEZIRI NWOKORIE, CUSTOMS AREA CONTROLLER, KEBBI COMMAND, ON THE COMMAND’S ACTIVITIES FOR THE LAST ONE MONTH HELD AT THE COMMAND’S HEADQUARTERS, BIRNIN KEBBI ON THURSDAY, 20TH MARCH, 2025
It is just exactly, 42 days today, that I took over the leadership of this Command, from my predecessor Compt. Ojike (Rtd). On that day, I made a commitment, as one of our core mandates, to enhance our revenue generation and collection! I pledged my support also, as re-emphasized by my CGC, to facilitate legitimate trade and promised, as reiterated by him too, to tackle smuggling aggressively, in a very reasonable manner!
Consequently, Gentlemen of the Press, what we are doing here today, therefore, is not a one off show! It’s a declaration of that intent and confirmation of that purpose! Today, therefore, marks the beginning of the fulfillment of that commitment, that pledge and that promise!
The CGC sent me here because he believes in my ability and so has given me this responsibility. And knowing that responsibility is responding to your ability and believing that there is no challenge one faces that one is not prewired to overcome, if he truly wills it, I shall not fail him! I shall not fail the Service. I shall not fail the Nation!!!
For those in legitimate business and trade, trust me, you really have a friend and supporter in our CGC. He has charged us to do all we can, without compromising extant laws, to support and facilitate every legitimate trade as demonstrated in the last few months and weeks where he has been involved in the introduction and launching of one form of trade facilitation program or the other!
So I urge you all, our Stakeholders and legitimate Traders, to make the best use of these opportunities that the CGC has provided, in advancing and enhancing your businesses! Indeed, he really wants to elevate you all to ‘StakeOwners’ instead of just Stakeholders.
Gentlemen of the Press, it’s important to remind you all that it’s not only the smuggling in and out of used clothes, foreign rice, oil and petroleum products that we fight against here. We also seize and destroy illicit drugs, guns and other dangerous and prohibited items, in collaboration with the NDLEA, NAFDAC, NPF, NSA, NIS, DSS, NA and other Agencies. We don’t do this because it will affect only our children or relatives, we do it knowing full well that we are securing and protecting your children, relatives and loved ones too.
So we are all in this fight together. If you cannot wear uniform and be at the borders or Ports, at least you can use your pen which is mightier than sword, according to Bulwer-Litton in his book, Richelieu, to applaud and encourage those who have put their lives on the line to save and serve you and your loved ones.
Before we begin, I would like to take a moment here to appreciate our outfield Officers, CIU, O/Cs, Patrol Team Leaders, Media friends and most especially, Sister Agencies, whose efforts, in no small measure, have contributed to the success of this event today. Your commitment and support have been so invaluable, and we deeply appreciate you for it! Your presence here today is a testament to the kind of synergy we enjoy here! This surely, will gladden my CGC’s heart!
Once again, you’re all welcome to today’s Press Briefing which I hope will be informative, participative and interactive!
REVENUE GENERATION AND COLLECTION
On the issue of Revenue Generation, in spite of the huge setback occasioned by the closure of our major border, Tsamiya/Sebgana, leaving us with only one authorized and official Border, Kamba, we have managed to still stay afloat, revenue wise.
Furthermore, through collaboration and partnership with our Niger Republic Counterpart, the seamless flow of cross border trade was achieved. And based on that, even when trade was below expectations, the Command was able to generate Thirteen Million, Three Hundred and Seventy Eight Thousand, Two Naira Only (₦13,378,002) within one month, which is slightly better than what was.
ANTI SMUGGLING
Suppression and decimation of smuggling, as one of our core mandates, is one of the key reasons why I am here. And in showing our seriousness so far, in fighting smuggling, we have met with our Stakeholders and have reawakened and rejuvenated the key units of the Command alongside engaging our Sister Agencies in intelligence sharing and concerted efforts towards useful and meaningful synergy, knowing that nothing gives energy to strategy like synergy!
This synergy has undoubtedly aided in curbing the activities of smugglers and their syndicates. Though, smuggling, considering the peculiar nature of our borders, cannot be completed eradicated, all the Agencies are working so hard to reduce it to the barest minimum. And it was based on these collaboration, coorperation and intelligence sharing with Sister Agencies, alongside the combativeness of our field Officers, that the Command was able to make the following seizures within one month:
1. One Hundred and Forty Five (145) Bales of Used Second-Hand Clothings
2. Thirteen Thousand, Seven Hundred and Fifty (13,750) liters of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS)
3. One Hundred and Fourteen (114) bags of Foreign Parboiled Rice of 50kg each.
4. Twenty (20) Cartons of New Light Cigarette
5. Seventy (70) Biggy Vanilla Wafer Biscuit (Expired)
6. Twenty seven (27) Cartons of Sunwatt (AA) Dry Battery (expired)
7. Forty (40) Bags of Foreign Sugar of 50kg each, among others.
The Duty Paid Value of the seized items is (₦84, 219, 654) Eighty Four Million, Two Hundred and Nineteen Thousand, Six Hundred and Fifty Four Naira Only.
Equally, on the area of suppressing the smuggling of Petroleum products, the Command was able to confiscate Thirteen Thousand, Seven Hundred And Fifty (13,750) Litres of PMS (Premium Motor Spirit), with fees value of Five Million, Five Hundred Thousand Naira Only (₦5,500,000). And this is usually auctioned to the public and the proceeds paid into the Federal Government’s coffers.
OTHER ACTIVITIES
In another development, barely two weeks after I reported as the Customs Area Controller, my Management Team and I have paid Courtesy visits to Sister Agencies stationed in Kebbi State, to foster the interagency collaboration in order to forge a common ground for intelligence sharing, reinforcement if need be, and also to build trust and stronger working relationship, innovation and creativity amongst us.
It’s important to also let you know that I have toured round the border stations, starting from Kamba to Doleikaina, Bagudo, Maje and Lolo, to inspect the environment and the areas of operation of my Officers!
Gentlemen of the press, we are here to change the narrative and we will leave no stone unturned as the Command strategizes on ways to improve her grey areas by dotting her i(s) and crossing her t(s) and making sure we put the round pegs in the round holes.
Pressmen, like I started earlier with, I have come here on the mandate of the CGC to heighten our revenue generation, support and facilitate legitimate trade, strengthen and tighten the bond of relationships with Sister Agencies and ensure that smuggling is reasonably reduced if not eradicated. This is my mission and this is my bond!
