The Apapa Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has announced the revenue collection of over one trillion and twenty-three billion Naira in the first quarter of 2024.
The Customs Area Controller (CAC) of the Command, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu, PhD., disclosed this to newsmen on Monday at a briefing in Lagos.
Comptroller Olomu also made it known that the amount collected represented a 143 per cent increase when compared to what was collected in the period under review in 2023, when over four hundred twenty-one billion was collected.
He said that the impressive revenue collected was in spite of a sharp reduction in trade volume, which made the Command to introduce e other measures to guide against revenue losses to government.
Speaking about the Command’s operational strategy for efficiency and success, the CAC said: “We are not leaving anything to chance for economic saboteurs as our non-intrusive inspection(NII) regime is fully in place where scanners are deployed for cargo examination with support of physical examination where and when necessary.”
He added that with regards to trade facilitation, the Command applied a mix of feasible strategies.
His words: “We are applying a blend of intelligence and community relations for better awareness of our operating environment to achieve greater trade facilitation and fight criminality.
“I have a team of dedicated officers charged with the responsibility of addressing all complaints or disputes withing record time before escalating to my office for prompt action.
“My office is open for everyone to discuss anything that will facilitate legitimate trade and promote government interest at all times, including receiving information on suspected smuggling activities.”
Olomu also told newsmen that the Command seized 11 containers laden with expired and unregistered pharmaceuticals, and used clothing and footwear.
He said: ” Withing the period under review, the Command made seizures of 11 containers comprising of prohibited items such as expired and unregistered pharmaceuticals, used clothing, armored cables, frozen poultry products, with a duty paid value of Four hundred and twenty-four million, one hundred and five thousand , nine hundred and seventy-five Naira as against 42 seizures with DOV of N1.4 billion made in the corresponding period in 2023.”
Olomu warned against smuggling , duty evasion and other forms of criminality frowned on by the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023 and other extant laws.
He vowed to a sustained tempo of seizures of illegal imports and added that: ” No cargo is allowed to exit from our control without thorough inspection using the scanner. We shall not compromise on this as we will keep making seizures, detention and arrests where necessary, to protect the national economy and prevent Nigerians from exposure to dangerous or unwholesome products like illicit drugs.”
