The Apapa Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has achieved a landmark revenue of over one trillion naira in the first half of year 2024, even as its anti-smuggling record dropped by about 67 per cent in comparison with the corresponding period of last year.
Addressing the press on Monday, the Area Controller of the command, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu said that between January to June, this year, the command
generated a total of One trillion, twenty-three billion, six hundred and sixty-three million, eight hundred and forty-two thousand, two hundred- and fifty- five-naira, sixty-three kobo (N1,023,663,842,255.63). The controller noted that this shows an increase of 143% above the figures of Four hundred and twenty-one billion, three hundred and eighty-two million, one hundred and sixty-six thousand, three hundred and seventy-eight-naira, forty-six kobo
(N421,382,166,378.46) collected in the corresponding period in 2023.
The huge revenue collection in spite of a sharp reduction in the volume of trade, according to Olomu, was due to extra measures been put in place by the command to prevent losses of government revenue.
However, the command’s clampdown on infractions plummeted to an all time low from 42 seizures with duty paid value of N1.4 billion recorded in the corresponding period last year to the current 11 seizures of containers with a Duty Paid Value of Four hundred and twenty-four million, one hundred and five thousand, nine hundred and seventy-five naira (N424,105,975.00).
The seizures comprised of prohibited items such as expired and unregistered pharmaceuticals, footwears, used clothing, armored cables, frozen poultry products etc.
The controller was elated to report that the command’s efforts at promoting trade facilitation are yielding good results with attendant ease of doing business, prevention of revenue losses, and closer interactions with sister government agencies and private sector stakeholders, including members of the host communities in which it operates.
He noted that the command is also not leaving anything to chance for economic saboteurs as its 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 revealed that he set up a revenue recovery committee comprising of seasoned and dedicated officers with a mandate to carry out more detailed look into areas of leakages, especially in bonded terminals under Apapa Command when he took over.
Speaking further, the controller is informed that the command is applying a blend of intelligence with community relations for better awareness of its 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 within record time before escalation to my office for prompt action.
“I don’t run an open-door policy because for me, there is literally no door at all if you want to access my office. 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,” he stated.
Dwelling more on anti-smuggling activities, he hinted that just last week the command uncovered a large quantity of expired and unregistered pharmaceuticals in 3x40ft container numbers TCKU 6928184, MRKU 4422733, MRSU 5550243, and another 3x40ft container nos. MNBU 3934925, MEDU 9107559 and MEDU 9752980 loaded with seven thousand five hundred and eighty (7,580) cartons of frozen poultry products unfit for human consumption, which is against schedule 3 of the revised import prohibition list of the Common External Tariff (CET).
Olomu noted that these importations violate section 233 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023,
He maintained that the harmful effects of fake and unregistered pharmaceutical products on citizens are unquantifiable and as a responsible service, owes Nigerians the duty of preventing them from being exposed to this dangerous importation.
The controller sounded a note of warning to perpetrators of smuggling, duty evasion and other forms of criminality frowned upon by the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023 and other extant laws, that Apapa command is poised to nip illicit importation in the bud.
“Consequently, in line with the CGC zero tolerance for smuggling, I have reformed the command way of treating transires by ensuring more meticulous management of cargoes moving from the mother port to bonded terminals. This has become necessary to prevent a situation where smugglers attempt to perpetuate illegalities in bonded terminals.
“To sustain this tempo, 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,” he stated.
On relationship with sister agencies, Olomu said that the leadership of the command is in close touch with sister government agencies, working like a team with shared responsibilities.
He commended the Nigeria Police, Department of State Service (DSS), NDLEA, NAFDAC, SON, NIS, NAQS, Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy and others for their support so far. “We made progress together and will continue to collaborate in the national interest,” he noted.
He registered his utmost appreciation to the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR dsm psc (+) and the entire Management team for providing the command with the needed support and leadership in discharging its responsibilities.
He also expressed his appreciation to officers and men of the command for their resilience, and stakeholders for their support, urging that they continually work together to achieve a better second half for 2024.