APAPA COMMAND GENERATES N1.172 TRILLION IN 2023, INTERCEPTS N22.8b SEIZURES FROM SMUGGLERS
The Apapa Command of Nigeria Customs Service has kept the tempo of improved revenue collection by crossing the N1 trillion mark in the face of dedlined trade volume, promoting trade faclitation and sustained its anti- smuggling activities to protect the nation’s economy.
In 2023, the command lived up to its mandate by ensuring enabling trading
environment for importers, exporters, shipping companies, terminal operators, bonded warehouse owners and others whose businesses go through customs control.
REVENUE
The command has recorded remarkable feat in the areas of revenue collection and trade facilitation in the outgone year by collecting 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 and thirty-two kobo
(N1,172,414,793,960.32) in the year 2023 which is over N149.8b above the revenue collection of N1,022,530,523,699,40 in 2022.
Customs Area Controller of the oommand, Comptroller Babajide Jaiyeoba said the 2023 colletion is 14.6% higher than 2022 figures of N1,022,530,523,699.40
Under Comptroller Jaiyeoba’s watch, the command made N11.3b daily collection on 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.
ANTI SMUGGLING/ENFORCEMENT
In the area of anti-smuggling within the period under review, the command made fifty-four (54) selzures with a Duty Paid Value of N22,847,295,900.00
These seizures were made due to infractions ike contravention of our 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, etc.
Comptroller Jaiyeoba has sounded a note of warning to smugglers and traders involved in any form of illegality that Apapa Port is a no-go area as any attempt to test our resolve will be met with seizure of their wares, arrest and prosecution of suspects in accordance with the Nigeria Customs Service Act (NCSA) 2023.
SISTER AGENCIES COLLABORATION
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.
According to him, “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 has yielded gains in our individual services and ensuring Apapaport remains safe for port users”.
STRATEGIC STAKEHOLDERS MEETING
The CAC, since assumption of office has ensured that our 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. He reiterated that the command
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 go0d deeds while advising others to emulate the virtue of honesty, noting that integrity is key to the achievement of 48hrs cargo clearance.
Comptroller Jaiyeoba is seizing this opportunity to solicit the support of every
player in the port system, including haulage operators, terminal operators,r oles effectively” adlearing/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 ccording to the Controller.
CONCLUSION
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.
The CAC thanked the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, and his Management Team for providing us with the enabling environment to discharge our duties effectively .
Comptroller Jaiyeoba extends his special appreciation to officers and men of
the Command for their relentless efforts, our esteemed stakeholders and members of the media for their unwavering support.
He believes that 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.