The Apapa Port Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has achieved a cumulative revenue collection of ₦2.01 trillion, as at November 19, 2024.
The achievement was attained one month ahead its of ₦2.2 trillion target set by the Command by the end of December.
Customs Area Controller (CAC) of the Command, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu, disclosed this while addressing his officers and men on a parade on Wednesday.
Apapa Port Command Controller said the Command is still aiming at achieving its ₦2.2 trillion target for the year by the end of November and ahead of the December.
Comptroller Olomu, on Tuesday, said the Command is drawing inspiration from the Comptroller General of Customs (CGC) Adewale Adeniyi, who announced the total collection of ₦5.07 trillion by the NCS at the just-concluded CGC Conference in Abuja.
Olomu stated that the Apapa Port Command played a critical role in the overall performance of the Service nationwide.
According to him, the Command contributed 40 per cent of the ₦5.07 trillion total target of the Service that has been met so far, saying the feat underscored the high expectations and responsibility on the command.
CAC Olomu urged officers to align with the outstanding examples set by CGC Adeniyi in revenue collection, trade facilitation, uncompromising enforcement and sustained stakeholder engagement in the interest of the Service and the country.
He charged his officers and men to keep the trajectory of good revenue and enforcement records sustained and ensure that seizures made from smugglers should be backed with arrested suspects for prosecution.
The Controller added that arresting smugglers with their wares would engender greater positive impact in the fight against smuggling.
Comptroller Olomu also updated his officers and men on important highlights from the CGC Conference. He urged them to imbibe the spirit and letter of its theme, “Engaging Traditional And New Partners With Purpose.”
He said the NCS 2024 CGC Conference theme aligned with that of the World Customs Organisation (WCO) which he said sought to leverage on achievable gains from cordial relationships across organisations and individuals to achieve the NCS mandate.
Olomu listed some outcomes from the CGC Conference to include sustenance of diligent import and export cargo examination with the deployment of hundred percent physical examination where necessary; granting of access to enforcement unit officers to view the Nigeria Integrated Customs Information System (NICIS) platform.
One other outcome of the Conference, he said was the avoidance of indiscriminate intervention alerts which makes NCS personnel appear to be working at cross purposes.
According to CAC Olomu, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) is one and should operate and be seen as one.
Other fallouts from the CGC Conference announced by the Area Controller include the banning of commercial activities within the NCS formations and premises.
He listed such activities like the engagement of Point of Sales (PoS) operators around offices and involvement of NCC officers in clearing jobs (that is, doubling as licensed agents), noting that it is in conflict with their official mandates.
Other messages that cascaded from the 2024 CGC Conference, as announced by Comptroller Olomu, included compulsory and routine medical checks for all officers; instituting rewards and honouring outstanding officers for their productivity;
Development of inter-zonal games being put together by the NCS Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC); full automation of transfer by first quarter of 2025 and the expansion of the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) and Advance Ruling (AR) scheme.
Comptroller Olomu also announced that the Apapa Port Command is planning an award night for deserving officers and stakeholders that contributed to its success in 2024.
He also gave plaques of award to some units and individuals for excellent discharge of their functions. The Compliance Unit was honoured for the recovery of over ₦2 billion in the last three months.
Efforts of the Revenue Recovery Unit also prevented the loss of ₦3 billion within the last three months was also recognised.
Assistant Comptroller M. Samad received an award from CAC Olomu for due diligence and regular detection of under-valuation.
The Controller also honoured Inspector of Customs Adamu Bashir as best dressed and punctual officer, it was stated in a release by the Customs Public Relations Officer, Apapa Port Command, CSC Usman Abubakar.
