Despite a noticeable reduction in trade volume, the Apapa Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has reported a significant boost in revenue collection for the first half of 2024. It collected a total of ₦1.024 trillion. The revenue haul marks an impressive 143% increase compared to the ₦421.38 billion collected during the same period in 2023.
Speaking at the mid-year press briefing, the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu, attributed this remarkable achievement to robust intelligence gathering and enhanced customs-community relations.
He said “Since assuming office on May 6, 2024, my focus has been on improving trade facilitation, preventing revenue losses, and fostering better interactions with both government agencies and private sector stakeholders,” Olomu stated.
Olomu said the command’s strategic measures have effectively bolstered revenue collection, he said, even as he highlighted the establishment of a dedicated revenue recovery committee tasked with identifying and sealing revenue leakages, particularly in bonded terminals under the Apapa Command.
“Our efforts are yielding positive results, evidenced by the significant increase in revenue despite the challenges,” he noted.
In addition to revenue generation, he stated that Apapa Command has intensified its anti-smuggling operations. The command seized 11 containers of prohibited items, including expired pharmaceuticals, footwear, used clothing, armored cables, and frozen poultry products, with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of ₦424.1 million. This contrasts with the 42 seizures valued at ₦1.4 billion made during the same period in 2023.
Olomu emphasized the importance of protecting the public from harmful and unregistered pharmaceuticals, which pose significant health risks.
He reiterated the command’s zero-tolerance stance on smuggling and other illegal activities, pledging continued vigilance and strict enforcement of customs regulations.
He further said the Apapa Command’s success is also attributed to its close collaboration with sister government agencies such as the Nigeria Police, Department of State Services (DSS), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), and others.
Comptroller Olomu concluded by expressing gratitude to the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, and the entire Customs management team for their support.
He also commended the officers and stakeholders for their resilience and contributions, urging continued cooperation to achieve even greater success in the second half of 2024.
