The Apapa Port Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has generated a revenue of N264,455,587,792.56 for the month of October 2024 which is the highest monthly collection in the history of the command.
The Controller of the Command, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu who disclosed this to Journalists while handing over seizures made by the Command to sister government agencies on 4th November, 2024 expressed hope that the Command will meet and surpass the target of N2.2 trillion before the year runs out.
Comptroller Olomu added that from January to October 2024 ,the Command generated a total of N1,875,362,369,214.4 which is higher than N931,123,998,213.88 generated in the corresponding period in the year 2023, showing 101% increase over last year’s revenue figure.
Based on the instruction of the Comptroller General of Customs , Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, the Command handed over six containers carrying falsely declared and unwholesome pharmaceutical and controlled products to National Agency for Food and Drug Administration Control (NAFDAC) and National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
The Apapa Port Command Controller explained that the handover underscores the robust inter-agency collaboration between the Nigeria Customs Service and sister agencies in the port.
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. These seizures are valued at over N1.5 billion.
” 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 contents 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.” He said.
Comptroller Olomu stated that the Command has keyed into trade facilitation tools like Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) and Advanced Ruling to ensure seamless movement of both import and export cargoes.
“Nigeria Customs Service management is driving a modern and paperless system and the command is gearing up to migrate from the old system to a new system while maximizing the benefits of what it has presently.”
He recalled that recently, the Command facilitated the first shipment of cargo to Kenya under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)regime.He also explained that in line with the Federal Government 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.
“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 only issues pertaining to customs alone are looked into and address as at when due.”
Comptroller Olomu stated that under his watch, the stakeholders’ compliance level in Apapa port has increased and this is a testament to the very regular interactions that has been established as directed by the CGC.
He announced that all port users and every consignment passing through the NCS at Apapa Port Command will be subjected to thorough examination using scanners and physical means when necessary.
“We shall continue to detect false declarations, concealment, under valuation and other unethical practices aimed at evading duties, short changing the government and exposing citizens to unsafe products.” he said.
He thanked sister government agencies and strategic private sectors for their contributions and impacts.
