Customs Export Command Facilitates N86.42bn Cocoa, Cashew Nuts, Others In Q1

The Lilypond Export command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), has facilitated an unprecedented N86.42billion worth of export between January 2023 to March 2023.

LEADERSHIP reports that the NCS created the Export Command for facilitation of export cargoes, fast-track export businesses for quick turnover and to ensure proper documentation and to decongest all the roads leading to the ports.

Speaking to Journalists during his maiden press briefing on the activities of the command in the last three months, the Customs Area Controllers, Lilypond Export command, Compt. Mohammed Babandede, said the command will continue to facilitate legitimate trade.

The Customs’ boss who stated that  containers released from the command are loaded onboard a waiting vessel within 48 hours, said the command in collaboration with shipping lines have as well reduced the turnaround time of a vessel.

Babandede said, “Within the period under review, the command has processed non-oil export with a total tonnage of 118,184.96. Available trade statistics show that the command processed export goods worth N86.42billion which is equivalent to free on-board value (FOB) of $204.6million.”

“The items processed are agricultural produce like Cocoa Beans, Cashew Nuts, Sesame seeds, Hibiscus flower, Soya beans and Ginger. Other items exported are mineral resources such as Lithium Ore, Manganese Ore, and Zircon Sand to mention but a few. Manufactured goods exported are Instant Noodles, Cosmetics, Cigarettes and Beverages.”

“It has reduced cost of Export business and has reduced the issue of contract cancellation.”

“I want to appreciate the Nigerian Ports Authority for coming up with the concept of Export Processing Terminals (EPTs) and by providing all the necessary support to the Command. I also want to commend the patriotic role of our sister agencies who have always partnered with us in our quest to effectively perform our statutory functions in compliance with extant laws.”

Babandede also disclosed that the cases of  pilfering and loss of export cargoes to non-state actors have been eliminated by the terminal.

“The command in collaboration with the port authority and the customs police have been able to handle that. Lilypond export Command has completely erased the issue of rejection and return of our Agro-produce which is usually caused by delay and lack of requisite phytosanitary certificates.”

“This country is blessed, there are opportunities, we can do more than this. We have the resources and on weekly basis, people do come to make enquiry about export and there is no way the nation can make progress being import based.

“We have to go into export, manufacturing and services. These are the only ways that we will be one of the greatest economy and we have the potential to be one of the best economy not only in Africa but in the world because we have the land, we can do more than Cote D’Ivoire in terms of Cocoa and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), has come up with incentive that by the time we are able to add value to our raw material for every dollar repatraited into Nigeria, you get N35 if you turn the raw material to semi finished or finished goods.”

“It has drastically reduced delay in export processing. It makes the business of export effective and efficient since all agencies are domiciled in one place as a one stop shop.

“It has reduced congestion along the access roads to the port and also inside the port terminals, giving space for Import container.

It has reduced cost of Export business and contract cancellation.”

Also speaking, the representatives of  Starlink Global and Ideal Limited, the leading exporter of Cocoa beans in Nigeria, Hakeem Afolabi, said before the advent of Lilypond Export terminal, the company lost about 600metric tonnes of Cocoa to plifering every year.

Afolabi, said the Lilypond Export command is not only a universal command but also a rescuer for commodity exporters in the country.

“In 2017, not more than 600metric tonnes of Cocoa were lost to plifering and theft through traffic gridlock and connivance of drivers. We also lost same amount in subsequent years until we had the Lillypond export command.”

“This is the best creation of FG for exporters because in 3 months, we have done over 1100 containers of Cashew nuts between February and April and all the transactions are done through this command. If we continue like this, non oil export will be number one revenue generator for FG,” he stated.