Apapa Customs Command Generates N1.023 Trillion in Six Months.
The Apapa Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has announced that it generated a remarkable N1.023 trillion in revenue during the first half of the year. This was disclosed by the Controller of the Command, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu, during a press briefing on Monday.
Comptroller Olomu noted that this amount represents a 143% increase compared to the revenue generated in the corresponding period of 2023. He attributed this significant increase to the implementation of additional measures aimed at plugging revenue leakages, particularly in bonded terminals under the Command, despite a sharp reduction in trade volume.
In terms of trade facilitation, Olomu emphasized that the Command employed a combination of intelligence and community relations to enhance awareness of the operating environment, thereby achieving greater trade facilitation and combating criminal activities. He also highlighted the Command’s efficient handling of complaints and disputes, noting that his officers resolved issues promptly. Furthermore, Olomu operates an open-door policy, allowing stakeholders to discuss matters that facilitate trade directly with him.
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On the anti-smuggling front, Olomu reported that the Command intercepted 11 containers containing prohibited items, including unregistered pharmaceuticals, used clothing, armored cables, and frozen poultry products, with a duty paid value of N424.1 million. This is compared to 42 seizures with a duty paid value of N1.4 billion made in the first half of the previous year.
He revealed that last week, the Command uncovered a large quantity of expired and unregistered pharmaceuticals in three 40ft containers, with the following container numbers: TCKU 6928184, MRKU 4422733, and MRSU 5550243. Additionally, another set of containers with numbers MNBU 3934925, MEDU 9107559, and MEDU 9752980 were seized, loaded with 7,580 cartons of frozen products deemed unsafe for human consumption. These items violate Schedule 3 of the revised import prohibition list of the Common External Tariff (CET) and Section 233 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023.
