The Apapa Customs Command of the Nigeria Customs Service(NCS), has stated that despite the remarkable decline in the volume of trade, the command has collected the sum of N1.87trillion between January and October 2024.
The Customs Area Controller (CAC), Apapa Customs Command, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu fsi, disclosed this to newsmen on Monday at the command premises
He observed that the revenue collected between January and October 2024 already exceeds 2023 total revenue of N931,123,998,213.88 by 101%
Comptroller Olomu also handed over six (6) containers carrying falsely declared and unwholesome pharmaceutical and controlled products to the National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control, (NAFDAC) and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
“This handover further underscores the robust inter-agency collaboration between the Customs and sister government agencies in the port. It further demonstrates our ability to prevent illicit importation from entering the Nigerian market through the port.
Some of the unwholesome pharmaceutical products were tramadol, cough syrup with codeine, and injections.
The Apapa Customs boss remarked that his command has been able to block leakages to achieve maximum collection of revenue as evidenced in its monthly activities.
Speaking, "Nigeria Customs Services management is driving a modern and paperless system and here in Apapa we are gearing up to migrate from the old system to a new system while maximizing the benefits of what we have presently. Nevertheless, the command has keyed into trade facilitation tools like AEO and Advanced Ruling 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. We equally have a wider customs-stakeholder forum where only issues pertaining to customs are looked into and addressed as and when due"
“As a service, we owe Nigerians the duty of preventing the import and export of cargo that could undermine their well-being and security. These medical importations have expired, while others are not evaluated by NAFDAC and could cause damages to Nigerians, if consumed,” Olomu said.
“It is noteworthy to state that just last week, the command facilitated the first shipment of cargo to Kenya under the AfCFTA regime,” said the CAC.
He maintained that the level of compliance by stakeholders since he came onboard has increased significantly.
“On my watch, the stakeholder’s compliance level in Apapa port has increased and this is a testament to the very regular interactions we have established as directed by the Comptroller General of Customs
He thanked Apapa port stakeholders for their ever-increasing compliance at the port and promised to increase its interactions and engagement with port users as directed by the Comptroller-General of NCS, Adewale Adeniyi MFR.
“We shall continue to detect false declarations, concealment, under valuation and other unethical practices aimed at evading duties, short changing the government and exposing citizens to unsafe products,” Olomu assured.
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