Customs Revenue: Apapa Command generates N1.7 trn in 2023 intercepts N22.8bn worth of smuggled goods
The Nigeria Customs Service Apapa Command has sustained the tempo of improved revenue collection by crossing the N1 trillion-mark in the face of declined trade volume, promoting trade facilitation and sustained its anti-smuggling activities to protect the nation’s economy.
In 2023, the command lived up to its mandate by ensuring enabling trading environment for importers, exporters, shipping companies, terminal operators, bonded warehouse owners and others whose businesses go through customs control.
Giving a scorecard, Controller of the Command, Comptroller Babajide Jaiyeoba, said that with its trade facilitation, the Command collected over N1.7 trillion in revenue in 2023.
He noted that the 2023 revenue collection is 14.6% higher than the 2022 revenue figures of over N1 trillion.
In a statement on Friday, spokesman of the Command, CSC Abubakar Usman, said that under Comptroller Jaiyeoba’s watch, “the command made N11.3b daily collection on November 22, 2023 which is the highest daily collection recorded in the history of the NCS.
“In the same vein, the command recorded N145b revenue collection in the month of October 2023 which represented the highest monthly revenue collection by any customs command.”
The records also show that within the period under review, the Command made 54 seizures with duty paid value (DPV) of over N22.8 billion.
“These seizures were made due to infractions like contravention of our extant import/export prohibition lists, false declaration, unlawful concealment and others. A breakdown of the seizures comprise of prohibited items such as used clothing, foreign parboiled rice, vegetable oil, tomato paste, etc.,” the statement reads in part.
The Command used the opportunity to warn perpetrators against smuggling and all forms of illegality, as it vows to continue with its strategy of seizures.
Meanwhile, the Command has also continued to strengthen its collaborations with sister agencies including the NPA, the Police, NDLEA, NAFDAC, DSS, Port Health Services and others in the area.
The Comptroller notes that “We understand the dynamic nature of maritime related crimes and have resolved to keep working together while trying to think ahead of criminal elements who may want to use Apapa port. The collaboration has yielded gains in our individual services and ensuring Apapa port remains safe for port users.”
Significantly, the Command has given a boost to stakeholders’ engagement as well as prompt attention to dispute resolution, query and amendment desks. These have ensured the prompt attention given to legitimate demands by port users.
Comptroller Jaiyeoba used the opportunity to solicit the support of stakeholders in the port system including haulage operators, terminal operators, shipping companies and the clearing and forwarding agents, to make possible the 48-hours cargo clearance plans.
He said: “It is achievable in no distant time if we play our roles effectively.”
