Apapa Customs Command generates over N1.8trl, boosts Ease of Doing Business with weekend services
The Nigeria Customs Service, Apapa Area Command, has announced the commencement of weekend operations covering Saturdays and Sundays, as part of its reengineered efforts supporting the Federal Government’s agenda of Ease of doing business at the ports.
Comptroller in charge of the Command, Babatunde Olomu, PhD, disclosed this at a news briefing held on Monday at the Command.
He told newsmen that decline in trade volumes did not affect the Command’s maximum collection of revenue, because it was able to block leakages.
From January to October 2024, the Command generated over N1.875 trillion , which was higher that the over N931 billion generated in the corresponding period in 2023,Comptroller Olomu said. It shows 101% increase over the 2023 revenue figure, he added.
Speaking on the improved processes and the noteworthy results achieved lately, Olomu said: “Here in Apapa , we are gearing up to migrate from the old system to a new system while maximising the benefits of what we have presently.
“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 inly 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.”
Comptroller Olomu highlighted the increased level of stakeholders’ compliance with trade processes at the Command, just as he thanked other sister agencies for their invaluable contributions in their operations.
He thereafter invited the newsmen to observe the handing over of some seized unwholesome pharmaceuticals to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control(NAFDAC) and the National Age cy for Drug Law Enforcement Agency(NDLEA).
From January to date, the Command made seizures valued at over N1.5 billion, and the items include used clothing, frozen poultry products, tramadol and unregistered pharmaceuticals products and other controlled substances.
