Even in the midst of constraints such as inadequacy of cargo handling equipment and other logistic challenges, the Apapa Area One command of the Nigeria Customs Service said last week that it has collected a whooping N146 Billion between January and October, 2010.
A breakdown of the revenue shows that collection into customs coffers stood at about N68Billion, while import duty accounted for about N61.9Billion and non- negotiable duty credit (NDDC) was N20.71Billion.
The highest revenue of N16.22 Billion was collected in September, while this was closely followed by N15.78Billion collection in March, even as sources in the command assured last week that it is working assiduously towards meeting its revenue target for 2010. One of the ways is by reinforcing its control mechanism in the areas of revenue collection and enforcement of fiscal policies as regards prohibitions.
The seven per cent port surcharge collected during the period also stood at about N5.94Billion, while the five per cent value added tax collection was about N33.78Billion.
The command has also recorded huge success in its anti-smuggling activities with the seizure of 51 units of 40 ft containers and 13 units of 20 ft containers, carrying various prohibited items with a duty paid value of =N=286,294,537.20.
It was gathered that the month of February recorded the highest seizure when 14 units of 40 ft containers and 5 units of 20 ft containers with a total duty paid value of about =N=106,5Million were seized.
However, it lost about N 6,69Billion on a dutiable value of N71, 833,572,735.30 as a result of duty exemptions, concessions and waivers granted to certain organizations.
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