Apapa Customs generates over N1.87 Trillion, nabs contrabands worth N1 5 billion in ten months.
Apapa Customs generates over N1.87 Trillion, nabs contrabands worth N1 5 billion in ten months.
Segun Oladipupo
Apapa Command it Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on Monday, said it generated over one trillion, right hundred billion naira between January and October, 2024
It added that it made over thirty six seizures worth over one billion, five hundred million within the same period.
Addressing journalists at the command, the Command’s Controller, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu said that despite decline in the volume of trade,
Comptroller Olomu added that the tremendous revenue generation was made.psossible by blocking leakages that would he drained the revenues.
His words, “Despite remarkable decline in the volume of trade, this command has been able to block leakages and achieved maximum collection of revenue as evidenced in our monthly activities.
“From January-October 2024, we generated a total of One trillion, eight hundred and seventy-five billion, three hundred and sixty-two million, three hundred and sixty-nine thousand, two hundred and fourteen naira, four kobo (N1,875,362,369,214.4) higher than the Nine hundred and thirty-one billion, one hundred and twenty-three million, nine hundred and ninety-eight thousand, two hundred and thirteen naira, eighty-eight kobo (N931,123,998,213.88) generated in the corresponding Period in the year 2023, showing 101% increase over last year’s revenue figure.
“It is instructive to state that our October 2024 collection is Two hundred and sixty-four billion, Four hundred and fifty-five million, Five hundred and eighty-seven thousand, Seven hundred and Ninety two-naira, fifty-six kobo (N264,455,587,792.56). This is the highest monthly collection in the history of this command. Therefore, we are hopeful of meeting and even surpassing our target of N2.2 trillion as the year winds down.”
On its anti-smuggling exploits, the command handed over six containers of unwholesome pharmaceutical and controlled products falsely declared to officials of the National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA)
He added that the handing over further underscores the collaboration of Customs with other sister agencies even as he boasted that the agency has the capability to prevent influx of illicit drugs into the country.
‘”Today, on the instruction of the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, we shall be handing over six (6) containers carrying falsely declared and unwholesome pharmaceutical and controlled products by the National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA)
“The handover further underscores the robust inter-agency collaboration between the Nigeria Customs Service and sister government agencies in the port. It further demonstrates our ability to prevent illicit importation from entering the Nigerian market through the port
“As a Service, we owe Nigerians the duty of preventing the import and export of cargo that could undermine their well-being and security. These medical importations have expired, while others are not evaluated by NAFDAC and could cause damages to Nigerians, if consumed.
“The content of these containers contravenes the provisions of Schedule 3 of the Common External Tariff (CET) and section 233 of the NCS Act 2023. Some of the contents are unapproved dosage of tramadol, cough syrup with codeine, injections and more
“However, from January 2024 to date, we have made well over thirty six (36) seizures of various items ranging from used clothing’s, frozen poultry product, tramadol, unregistered pharmaceutical products and other controlled substances. These seizures are valued at over N1.5 billion,” he stated.
The Controller of the premier command maintained that the service management is driving a modern and paperless system at the command.
“We are gearing up to migrate from the old system to a new system while maximising the benefits of what we have present.
“Nevertheless, the command has keyed into trade facilitation tools like AEO and Advanced Ruling to ensure seamless movement of both import and export cargoes,” he submitted.
According to him, 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 cargoes devoid of any delay.
