.Targets N2.2 trn before year end
By Emeka Okoroanyanwu
The Apapa Customs Area Command has generated N1.8 trillion between January and October 2024.
Area Controller of the Command, Babatunde Olomu said the figure is higher than the N931billion generated within the corresponding period of 2023, a 101 per cent increase.
According to him, in spite of the remarkable decline in the volume of trade, the Command has been able to block leakages and achieve maximum collection of revenue.
Olomu disclosed that for the period of October 2024, collection hit N264,455,587,792,056, the highest monthly collection in the history of the Command.
He said the command is hopeful of meeting and surpassing its targets of N2.2 trillion as the year winds down.
Olomo also disclosed that in the month of October, the Command had the highest daily collection of N18.2 billion in one day.
“So we are hopeful that at this pace, because the Command is on auto pilot, within the next one or two weeks, the Command will hit the 2 trillion naira revenue,” he said.
Speaking on some seized pharmaceutical products, Olomu disclosed that some of the contents are unapproved dosage of tramadol, cough syrups with codeine, injections, among others. “As a Service, we owe Nigerians the duty of preventing the import and export of cargo that could undermine their well-being and security,” he said.
These medical importations, he noted, have expired, while others are not evaluated by NAFDAC and could cause damages to Nigerians.
He said the contents of the containers contravene the Prohibition of Schedule 3 of the Common External Tariff and Schedule and Sections 233 of the NCS Act 2023.
The seizures, he noted, should serve as a deterrence to those involved in any form of illegality and an encouragement for lawful and compliant traders.
According to him, the handover underscored the robust inter-agency collaboration between the Nigerian Customs Service and other sister government agencies, and its ability to prevent illicit importation from entering the Nigerian market through the ports.
He said from January 2024 to date, the command has made over 36 seizures of various items, ranging from used clothings, frozen poultry products, tramadol, unregistered pharmaceutical products, and other controlled substances valued at over N1.5 billion.
In the area of trade facilitation, Olomu said the Command has keyed into trade facilitation tools like the AEO and Advanced Ruling to ensure seamless movement of both imports and exports.
He added that in line with the federal government’s agenda of ease of doing business, the Command operates on Saturdays and Sundays to ensure that importers take delivery of their cargo without any delay.
“We also have an intra-government working system where all government agencies work together as a team without compromising the mandates of our respective agencies. “Equally, we have a wider Customs Stakeholder Forum where all the issues pertaining to Customs are looked into and addressed as and when due.
“It is noteworthy to state that just last week, the Command facilitated the first shipments of cargo to Kenya under the AFTA regime,” he said.
Comptroller Olomu attributed the improved compliance level by agents operating at the command to regular interactions established by the command.
He also expressed appreciation to sister government agencies, including NDLEA, NAFDAC, the DSS, and the Nigerian Police for their contributions to the success achieved by his command.
