Olomu Celebrates CGC Adeniyi’s First Year In Office With N17.9B Daily Collection

BY FUNMI ALUKO

Area Controller of the Apapa Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Comptroller Babatunde Olomu Wednesday announced the collection of a whooping sum of N17,903,312,598  for June 14, 2024, which according to him is dedicated as a token of celebration the Comptroller General of Customs (CGC), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi’s first one year of office.

Addressing journalists in his office, Olomu said the feat was recorded despite a significant decline in cargo throughput at the seaports, noting that the figure is the highest daily collection ever recorded by the command.

Surrounded by two of his principal officers including the DC Revenue, DC Wale Adegboyega, Olomu attributed the feat to officers increased efforts to curb revenue leakages amid dwindling cargo throughput, which he explained has dropped by more than 60 percent.

In the area of enforcement, Olomu who is barely a month old in the command disclosed that the command has so far intercepted 2 containers of used clothing and crusader soap since assuming control.

“The Apapa Command of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has recorded a landmark daily collection of N17,903,312,598 on June 14, 2024 being the highest since its inception.”

“This feat is the beginning of many revenue collection, trade facilitation and anti-smuggling exploits to be achieved in the course of discharging our statutory responsibilities.”

Olomu, however, assured port users and stakeholders that officers and men of the Command under his leadership will continue to prioritize trade facilitation and strive to surpass its given target.

Dedicating the feat to the CGC, who marks one year in office today, the Apapa Customs boss said the CGC remains a beacon of inspiration for the rank and file; and the greatest motivating factor in all the achievements of the NCS.

He noted that while compliance requires regular encouragement and reminder to make it enduring, he reminded the port users that honest declaration will enhance their overall benefits.

“I want to use this medium to urge port users to always abide by the tenets and etiquette of lawful operations such as obeying the extant import and export guidelines, prompt and accurate payment of duty and promotion of regular engagement in the national interest,” he said.