Apapa Customs Rally Stakeholders To Tackle N70,000 Daily Storage Charge

NPA, NAFDAC, NDLEA laud top-level Customs collaboration at Apapa port

BY FUNMI ALUKO

In line with its leading status to set the pace for improved port efficiency, the Apapa Command of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has rallied stakeholders to the discussion table in the effort to enhance speedy cargo clearance, especially as it concerns curbing of the N70,000 daily storage charges collected by seaport terminals over avoidable undue delays.

Group photograph of senior Customs officials and some stakeholders at the event

The Customs Area Controller, Apapa Port Command, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu, tabled the challenge during the 2025 International Customs Day (ICD) celebration on Monday.

Comptroller Olomu said delays at the seaport which is costing shippers additional N70,000 daily as storage charges paid to terminal operators can be eliminated if all stakeholders commit to doing so, stressing the need for Customs and other port service providers to collaborate in attaining speedy cargo evacuation.

“In the theme of 2025 ICD, you’ll find the need to minimise delays and streamline processes. If we are able to minimise delays, there will be more accrued in terms of revenue. One thing that I have noticed at the ports is that the clearance time matters a lot to the shippers and freight forwarders.

“Every day that a container spends at the port attracts a rent fee for the space of about N70,000. When you calculate that sum over a period of one week or two weeks for just one container, you would realize the financial implications of undue delays during cargo clearance at the seaports”, he said.

Speaking further, the Apapa Port Customs boss stressed the command would continue to prioritize efficient processes especially in line with germane initiatives such as the Advanced Ruling, Authorized Economic Operators (AEOs), B’Odogwu, among others introduced by the Comptroller-General of NCS, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR.

Despite collecting over N2.1trillion revenue in 2024, the Apapa Customs boss maintained that the Command intends to set new revenue milestones in 2025 while prioritising trade facilitation and seamless processes.

Olomu described the 2025 World Customs Organisation (WCO) theme for International Customs Day “Customs Delivering on its Commitment to Efficiency, Security and Prosperity” as apt and encouraged the Command’s officers to improve on the high-level of efficiency and collaboration set in 2024.

Meanwhile, sister agencies at the Apapa Port including the National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) took turns to commend the high-level of collaboration displayed by Apapa Customs.

The Chief Port Security Officer, Lagos Port Complex Apapa, NPA, Bukar Kaumi, speaking on behalf of the Apapa Port Manager, enumerated several worthy interventions of the Olomu-led Customs on issues affecting traffic, port access roads, aggrieved freight agents, among others.

Kaumi equally seized the opportunity to congratulate the Apapa Customs Command for emerging overall best Command in 2024 as well as its victory as best Command in trade facilitation and best Command in revenue generation.

On his part, the Director, Ports Inspection, NAFDAC, Dr. Olakunle Olaniran, conveyed the agency’s gratitude for the top-notch synergy between Customs and NAFDAC at Apapa port.

Olaniran said, “We have enjoyed highly commendable cooperation with Customs over the years, but in recent times we have had an unprecedented level of collaboration that is worth celebrating. Nigeria is a country that is still navigating the path to growth and collaboration is what guarantees the much-desired growth.

“NAFDAC Director General, Prof. Moji Adeyeye has repeatedly stressed the distinguished leadership of the Customs helmsman who has proven that NCS not only emphasises collaboration in speeches but with actions as demonstrated by the recent Memorandum of Understanding signed between Customs and NAFDAC in 2024.”

Also speaking, the Assistant Commander of Narcotics, Apapa NDLEA Office, Mr. Thomas Ogbudu, extolled the Apapa Customs Command for its firm stance and partnership with the anti-drug agency in the fight against drugs smuggling via the seaport.