The Nigeria Customs Service, Lagos Free Trade Zone Command, has hit N25,094,030,014.00 revenue from the Free Zones, for the 1st quarter of 2024.
The Command also generated N29,671,886,266 from Lekki Port, making it a cumulative total revenue of N54,765,916,280.
The outgoing controller, Comptroller Mohammed Babandede made this known in a ceremony on Wednesday, 17th April 2024, while handing over leadership to Comptroller Olanrewaju Olumoh.
Speaking about his experience at the command in the last seven months since he assumed office, CAC Babandede noted that the most important thing he’s taking out of the command, is the synergy between Agencies and Engagement with stakeholders.
He said, “When I came in September, free zone were able to only generate revenue of about N2-N3 billion, but to God be the glory, we can now generate N15-N25 billion in a month”.
“We engaged a lot of stakeholders and we worked with agencies because we cannot do it alone and we established a bond like a family”. Babandede stated.
He advised stakeholders to maintain high level of integrity of their cargos and the new controller to carry everyone along.
On his part, the new Area Controller, Comptroller Olanrewaju Olumoh appreciated his predecessor for his purpose driven leadership, pledging to build on his very good foundation, while also soliciting support from stakeholders and officers.
In his words, “I am happy that I am not meeting this command at the scratch level, I have optimism to build on the very good foundation Comptroller Babandede is leaving behind. I thank you Controller for your purpose driven leadership”.
“To our critical stakeholders, I acknowledge the wonderful support you have been giving the command over the years, I want to assure you that the over-riding goal will be how to make this command more robust, more alive and more economically rewarding to the country. I promise to operate an open door policy just like my predecessor”. Olumoh added.
Stakeholders as well as representatives of sister agencies showered encomiums on the outgoing controller, while also urging the new controller to continue on the integrity and legacy already in existence at the free zone for the good of the nation.
