‘We’re Confident of Meeting Our N2tn 2024 Target’ -Apapa Customs Boss

BY FUNMI ALUKO

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Apapa Area Command has given strong indication of meeting it’s current annual revenue target of N2 trillion, going by it’s present revenue collection stride.

Olomu sorrounded with some of his principal officers and representatives of sister agencies during the briefing

The Apapa area command which said during a press briefing at its office on Monday it has netted a total of N1.875 trillion between January to October, 2024, expressed the belief that hitting it’s allotted target is therefore highly predictable, all things being equal.

Speaking at the event, the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu fsi, said the figure represents 101percent increase over and above the sum of Nine hundred and thirty-one billion, one hundred and twenty-three million, nine hundred and ninety-eight thousand, two hundred and thirteen naira, eighty-eight kobo (N931,123,998,213.88) generated within the corresponding period of 2023.

Olomu and the Apapa Seaport District NDLEA Commander exchanging handover letters

Speaking further, he said the month of October was unique in the history of the command’s revenue administration as the command hit the bull’s eye with  collection of N264.455 billion, being the highest monthly revenue generated so far.

“It is instructive to state that our October 2024 collection is Two Hundred and Sixty Four Billion, Four Hundred and Fifty Five Million, Five Hundred and Eighth Seven Thousand, Seven Hundred and Ninety Two Naira, Fifty Six Kobo (#264,455,587,792.56).

Olomu andNAFDAC representative exchange handover of seized items letter

“This is the highest monthly collection in the history of this command. Therefore, we are hopeful of meeting and even surpassing our target of #2.2 trillion as the year winds down.”

The above feat he explained was recorded “despite remarkable decline in the volume of trade”, further attributing the impressive performance to efficient blockage of revenue leakages.

On anti- smuggling, Olomu announced the seizure of six containers falsely declared as trade items but in actual fact stuffed with unwholesome pharmaceutical and restricted products which it handed over to officials of the National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

One of the impounded containers

“This handover further underscores the robust inter-agency collaboration between the Nigeria Customs Service and sister government agencies in the port. It further demonstrates our ability to prevent illicit importation from entering the Nigerian market through the port.

“As a service, we owe Nigerians the duty of preventing the import and export of cargo that could undermine their well-being and security.”

Further explaining the status of the seized items, Olomu said, “These medical importations have expired, while others are not evaluated by NAFDAC and could cause damages to Nigerians, if consumed.

“The content of these containers contravene the provisions of Schedule 3 of the Common External Tariff (CET) and section 233 of the NCS Act 2023.

“Some of the contents are unapproved dosage of tramadol, cough syrup with codeine, injections and more.”

Continuing he said, “However, from January 2024 to date, we have made well over thirty-six (36) seizures of various items ranging from used clothings, frozen poultry product, Tramadol, unregistered pharmaceutical products, and other controlled substances”, adding:

“These seizures are valued at over N1.5 billion.”

Another container laden with offensive goods

On trade facilitation and stakeholders collaboration, Olomu said the command is running with the new regime of trade facilitation tools like AEO and Advanced Ruling System to ensure seamless movement of both import and export cargoes.

“Furthermore, in line with the Federal Government agenda of Ease of Doing Business, the command operates on Saturdays and Sundays to ensure that importers take delivery of their cargoes devoid of any delay.

“We also have an intra government working system where all government agencies work together as a team without compromising the mandates of our respective agencies.

“Equally, we have a wider customs-stakeholder forum where only issues pertaining to customs alone are looked into and addressed as and when due.

“It is noteworthy to state that just last week, the command facilitated the first shipment of cargo to Kenya under the AfCFTA regime.

This is even as he said that the command has achieved high level stakeholders compliance which he said was a testament to the very regular interactions  which the command have established as directed by the CGC.

“I want to specially thank all sister government agencies and our strategic private sector partners for being part of the success we are celebrating today. Their contributions have been invaluable and the impacts are evident in our scorecard”, he said.