Amidst the declining trade volume experienced penultimate year, the Apapa Command of Nigeria Customs Service has maintained it’s pace of improved revenue collection by exceeding N1 trillion as it recorded a total of One trillion, one hundred and seventy-two billion, four hundred and fourteen million, seven hundred and ninety-three thousand, nine hundred and sixty naira, thirty two kobo(N1,172,414,793,960.32) in the year 2023 which is N149.8b above the revenue collected in 2022 (N1,022,530,523,699.40). The Command never relent in promoting trade facilitation and sustaining its anti- smuggling activities to protect the nation’s economy. Speaking on the remarkable feat recorded in the outgone year, Customs Area Controller of the command, Comptroller Babajide Jaiyeoba said the 2023 collection is 14.6% higher than 2022 figures of (N1,022,530,523,699.40). The Public Relations Officer for the Command, CSC Abubakar Usman also said in a statement that under Comptroller Jaiyeoba’s watch, the command made N11.3b daily collection in 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,” he said.
In the area of anti-smuggling within the period under review, the command made fifty-four (54) seizures with a Duty Paid Value of N22,847,295,900.00. These seizures according to the statement, were made due to infractions like contravention of Customs extant import /export prohibition lists, false declaration, unlawful concealment and others. A break-down of the seizures comprise of prohibited items such as used clothing, foreign parboiled rice, vegetable oil, tomato paste, among others. However, Comptroller Jaiyeoba read riot act to smugglers and traders involved in any form of illegality that Apapa Port is a no-go area as any attempt to test the Command resolve will be met with seizure of their wares, arrest and prosecution of suspects in accordance with the Nigeria Customs Service Act (NCSA) 2023.
The Controller, since his assumption of office has ensured stronger collaboration with sister government agencies like the NPA, police, NDLEA, NAFDAC, DSS, NAQS, Port Health Service and others in the area. “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 so far has yielded gains in our individual services and ensuring Apapa port remains safe for port users.”
The statement read further that “The CAC, since assumption of office has ensured that the Command’s various stakeholders like importers, exporters, licensed customs agents, freight forwarding operators and other port users are being regularly educated on the need to be compliant at all times. “We operates an open-door policy where we meet regularly with stakeholders to address matters of common interest. The dispute resolution, query and amendment seats have been made more active to address the needs and legitimate demands of port users too.
The Controller also urged compliant traders to keep up their good deeds while advising others to emulate the virtue of honesty, noting that integrity is key to the achievement of 48hrs cargo clearance.
Comptroller Jaiyeoba also solicited the support of every player in the port system, including haulage operators, terminal operators, clearing/forwarding agents, and shipping companies towards the achievement of 48hrs cargo clearance.
He said “It is achievable in no distant time if we all play our roles effectively. This command is ready to facilitate legitimate trade and contribute to Nigeria!s economic growth.
“As we begin the new year, the command is urging port users to always make sincere declarations, keep themselves abreast with import and export prohibitions with a view to abiding by them and paying their customs duties at all times,” he stressed.
The CAC further thanked Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, and his Management Team for providing the Command an enabling environment to discharge their duties effectively.
Comptroller Jaiyeoba extends his special appreciation to officers and men of the Command for their relentless efforts, the esteemed stakeholders and members of the media for their unwavering support.
“Together we have recorded great strides in blocking areas Of revenue leakage and ensuring Apapa Port remains a shining example among its peers in Nigeria and the West African subregion,” he said.
