The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Apapa Port Command, made a historic revenue generation of ₦1,875,362,369,214.4 trillion from January to October, 2024.
Out of the sum, the Command made a total collection of ₦264,455,587,792.56 billion for the month of October 2024 alone, the highest monthly collection in the history of the Apapa Port Command.
The Command also handed over six containers of falsely declared, fake pharmaceutical and controlled products to the National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
Customs Area Controller, Apapa Port Command, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu, disclosed these on Monday during a press briefing on the activities of the Command during the period under review.
“From January-October 2024, we generated a total of ₦1,875,362,369,214.4 trillion, higher than the ₦931,123,998,213.88 billion generated in the corresponding period in the year 2023, showing 101 per cent increase over last year’s revenue figure.
“It is instructive to state that our October 2024 collection is ₦264,455,587,792.56 billion. This is the highest monthly collection in the history of this command.
“Therefore, we are hopeful of meeting and even surpassing our target of ₦2.2 trillion as the year winds down,” he said.
Comptroller Olomu disclosed that the unprecedented revenue generation within the period was achieved despite a remarkable decline in the volume of trade.
He added that the Command has been able to block leakages and achieved maximum collection of revenue as evidenced in its monthly activities.
In the area of trade facilitation, the CAC said the Command was gearing up to migrate from the old system to a new system while maximizing the benefits of what it has presently.
This, he said, was in line with the drive by the NCS Management towards a modern and paperless system.
He said the Apapa Port 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.
“Equally, we have a wider customs-stakeholder forum where only 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,” he added.
Speaking on its anti-smuggling efforts, Olomu disclosed that the Command made well over 36 seizures of various items ranging from used clothings, frozen poultry product, tramadol, unregistered pharmaceutical products and other controlled substances valued at over ₦1.5 billion.
The Command handed over six containers carrying falsely declared and unwholesome pharmaceutical and controlled products to NAFDAC and NDLEA, on the instruction of the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC) Adewale Adeniyi.
Olomu said: “This handover further underscores the robust inter-agency collaboration between the NCS and sister government agencies in the port.
“It further demonstrates our ability to prevent illicit importation from entering the Nigerian market through the port.
“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.
“The content of these containers contravened the provisions of Schedule 3 of the Common External Tariff (CET) and Section 233 of the NCS Act 2023. Some of the contents are unapproved dosage of tramadol, cough syrup with codeine, injections and more.”
The CAC, Apapa Port Command said stakeholder’s compliance, under his watch has increased “and this is a testament to the very regular interactions we have established as directed by the CGC.
“I want to specially thank all sister government agencies and our strategic private sector partners for being part of the success we are celebrating today. Their contributions have been invaluable and the impacts are evident in our scorecard.
“I hereby invite you to see the seizures as we formally hand over to NAFDAC and NDLEA. These seizures should serve as a deterrent to those involved in any form of illegality and an encouragement for lawful and compliant traders.”
Comptroller Olomu reminded all port users that every consignment passing through the NCS, Apapa Port Command, will be subjected to thorough examination, using scanners and physical means when necessary.
“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,” he assured.
