The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Apapa Area Command has reported a record revenue collection of N1.87 trillion in the first 10 months of 2024, representing a remarkable 101% increase from the N931 billion collected during the same period in 2023.
The performance was revealed during a press briefing by the Customs Area Controller (CAC) Apapa, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu. He attributed the substantial growth to stringent measures aimed at preventing revenue leakages, alongside increased compliance by port users.
He said despite a noticeable decline in trade volume, the command’s relentless efforts to block revenue leakages have yielded substantial results.
He informed that October 2024 marked a milestone, with the Command recording its highest-ever monthly collection of N264.4 billion. This landmark achievement, he explained has boosted the Command’s confidence in not only meeting, but potentially surpassing its annual target of N2.2 trillion by the year’s end.
The Customs Area Controller also stated that the Command is advancing towards a modern and paperless system as part of the NCS’s broader modernization drive. By incorporating tools such as the Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) and Advanced Ruling, the Command has facilitated faster, more secure processing of import and export cargoes, reducing delays and promoting compliance.
Additionally, he said the Command operates on weekends, aligning with the Federal Government’s Ease of Doing Business policy to ensure efficient cargo clearance.
These efforts, he said were highlighted by the recent successful shipment of goods to Kenya, the Command’s first under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) framework, which aims to bolster Nigeria’s trade connections within the region.
In addition to its revenue accomplishments, Olomu explained that the Apapa Command remains resolute in its anti-smuggling efforts while announcing the handover of six containers of unregistered pharmaceutical products to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
The seized items, which include tramadol, codeine-laced cough syrups, and other expired drugs, he explained contravene Nigeria’s import regulations and pose significant health risks.
The Controller explained that these seizures align with the Command’s mandate to prevent illicit goods from entering Nigerian markets, protecting public health and safety.
The Command further disclosed that from January to date, it has made over 36 seizures worth more than N1.5 billion. These include items such as used clothing, frozen poultry, and other controlled substances, underscoring the Command’s commitment to combating smuggling and ensuring compliance with trade laws.
Emphasizing the importance of thorough inspection processes, the Controller affirmed that all consignments passing through Apapa port undergo rigorous screening through scanners and physical examinations when necessary. to detect and deter false declarations, concealment, and undervaluation.
The Command also reported an increase in compliance levels among port stakeholders, which the Controller attributed to ongoing engagement and collaboration with private sector entities and other government agencies. This collaboration has fostered a more transparent and compliant trading environment, essential to achieving the Command’s ambitious revenue goals.
