The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) collected N1.172 trillion in revenues from Apapa Port in 2023.
Area Controller of the NCS at the ports, Comptroller Babajide Jaiyeoba, made the declaration on Wednesday in Lagos during the decoration of newly-promoted officers and men of the command.
He noted that the officers decorated on Wednesday contributed immensely to attaining the revenue collection.
“When I assumed duty in September 2023, I discovered that we were far from realising our revenue collection target; so we thought-out strategies on the way forward.
“We embarked on daily strategic meetings and these officers who were part of the team as terminal or sectional heads pushed to ensure we met the target.
“That is why we are honouring them today,’’ he said.
Jaiyeoba appreciated the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGS), Mr Adewale Adeniyi for his interest in the welfare of officers and men of the Nigeria Customs Service.
He noted that when Adeniyi became head of the NCS in June 2023, he promised that its officers and men would get their promotions when due and the promise was kept.
“Today, I am expressing my gratitude to the CGC for this and also commend officers and men of the service, especially those of Apapa Command for their contributions to the service.
“Promotion does not come from anybody but from God and from hard work in active service; promotion means more work, so more is required of you,’’ he told the promoted officers.
Jaiyeoba enjoined those not promoted not to despair, but to be more dedicated to their jobs as there was always another chance for promotion.
“With this promotion, more is expected from us in terms of revenue collection because soon, revenue target will be issued and we should understand that the target will increase,’’ he said.
In his goodwill message, Mr Nasiru Ibrahim, Director, Department of State Security, Apapa Command, said the Customs Service had done well by beginning the year with the promotion of officers.
He said the promotion indicated that a lot of good tidings would come the way of the Customs Service in 2024.
“Promotion in the Customs Service comes with revenue collection target and the promoted officers need to be loyal, focused and dedicated to their duties.
“The service has a CGC that connects with all stakeholders, therefore, all officers should connect with stakeholders for the service to grow further,’’ he said.
A clearing agent and chairman of Customs Consultative Forum, who graced the occasion, Alhaji Akeem Olanrewaju charged customs officers on attitudinal change, stressing that attitude mattered in their official and private engagements.
“Customs officers have the right to do their job, but they should do it with decorum.
“If they are holding a customer’s cargo, explanations should be given on why the cargo is held so that there will not be any issue,’’ he said.
