At the end of the first quarter of this year the records show that Nigeria Customs and Excise recorded an increase in receipts from agriculture exports at the Onne Port, in Rivers State by over 17 percent, in comaprison to the same period in 2024. The Port Harcourt command of the NCS said the sector fetched it a total of ₦2,345,268,122 in the first quarter of 2025.
The Mohammed Babandede, the Customs Area Comptroller of Port Harcourt II Command, Onne, said a total of 1,274,695 metric tons of agricultural products and solid minerals were exported during the period.
That was part of the N190,569,212,397 being the total revenue for the quarter, including the duties on exports from other sectors. Whereas in the first quarter of the preceding year the revenue made by the Customs was N162,705,313,561.
While some people,like those whose export business made Nigeria richer by over N190 billion, some other people engaged in activities that contravene the laws of the country. Comptroller Babandede revealed that the Command seized 20 containers containing contraband goods, including illicit drugs, within the period under review. The seized goods have a cumulative duty paid value of ₦10,293,677,040.00.
The comptroller emphasised the importance of preventing the importation of illicit drugs and other prohibited goods, citing the potential consequences for public health and safety. He said, “The impact of the influx of illicit drugs can lead to increased rates of crime, substance abuse, addiction, and health-related issues in the communities. Hence, there is a need to nip it in the bud.”