The Chairman of the Committee, Leke Abejide, stated this on Wednesday during an oversight visit to the headquarters of the Nigeria Customs Service in Abuja.
According to the chieftain of the African Democratic Congress, the purpose of the investigation is to ensure they operate within the law and contribute positively to the nation’s economy.
“We will scrutinise the operations of the bonded terminals to identify and eliminate any illegal activities and those found to be non-compliant with regulations will face severe consequences, including possible closure,” he said.
This is just as he added that it is necessary to prevent the free zones from becoming havens for illicit activities that threaten the nation’s security and economic health.
“This committee is committed to working closely with the Nigeria Customs Service and other relevant authorities to enforce strict measures and restore integrity to the bonded terminals and free trade zones while ensuring that they serve their intended purpose of facilitating legitimate trade and contributing to the growth and prosperity of our nation,” Abejide said.
He commended the service for the recent achievements in Lagos and Rivers States, with the seizure of a large cache of arms, describing it as a testament to their vigilance and effectiveness.
He said these interceptions were not routine seizures as they have potentially saved countless Nigerian lives and demonstrated the exceptional skills and dedication of men and officers of the Nigeria Customs Service in the protection of the nation’s borders.
He said, “Let us not celebrate too quickly. The very fact that such massive quantities of weaponry and contraband were attempting to enter our nation within such a short span chills me to the bone. These items had they slipped through, could have unleashed untold terror on innocent citizens, ripped apart communities, and destabilised entire regions of our beloved country.
“While I commend the exceptional skills and bravery of our Customs personnel, these incidents serve as a stark, horrifying reminder of the enormous challenges we face. We cannot — we must not — become complacent. Every weapon and illicit item seized is a victory, but every attempt to smuggle them into Nigeria is a call to redouble our efforts.”
He commended the drive of the NCS, stating that even though its revenue target for the first half of 2024 is N2.5tn; the service has collected N2.7tn, adding that achievement demonstrates the efficiency and effectiveness of the existing revenue generation mechanisms.
He said further that the $318 billion lost to exemptions, waivers, and concessions poses a challenge to meeting the ambitious annual revenue target of N5.079tn.
