Victor Ezeja
In the first half of the year, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) generated N1.02 trillion at its Apapa Area Command.
This reflects a 143% increase compared to the N421.38 billion earned over the same period in 2023.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelThe Customs Area Controller, Apapa Command, Babatunde Olomu, made this known during a news conference in Lagos on Monday.
Prime Business Africa reports that Olomu pointed out that even with a significant decline in trading volume, the command was able to record the amount.
He stated that the agency’s efforts to promote and facilitate trade are yielding significant results.
“Our efforts have been mainly targeted at preventing revenue losses, improving ease of doing business, and engaging stakeholders,” Olomu said.
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“We have implemented measures to prevent government revenue loss by using a blend of intelligence and community relations.”
Anti-smuggling operations
Speaking on the Command’s anti-smuggling operations, the Customs Area Controller said that they have changed the way goods are managed when they move from the mother port to bonded terminals by providing more thorough control, in keeping with the CGC’s zero tolerance policy for smuggling.
He added that no cargo can leave their custody without a careful scanning check.
Olomu assured that thorough cargo inspection would not be compromised and that the command will keep making arrests, seizures, and detentions as needed to safeguard the country’s economy and shield Nigerians from hazardous or unhealthy goods like illegal drugs.
He further stated that the Apapa Customs Command intercepted 11 containers containing prohibited products, including illegal goods, expired medications, and frozen poultry meat valued at N424 million. This is in contrast to 42 seizures in 2023 that had a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N1.4 billion during the same time period.
He stated that these items were seized from dishonest importers trying to bring them into Nigeria illegally. In addition to discovering a substantial amount of unregistered and expired medications in three 40-foot containers, the command also discovered three other 40-foot containers with 7,580 cartons of frozen poultry items that were unfit for human consumption.
Olomu clarified that these contraband goods were in violation of Section 233 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023 as well as Schedule Three of the Common External Tariff (CET)’s amended import prohibition list. He praised Adewale Adeniyi, the Comptroller General of Customs, for his leadership and expressed gratitude to the staff for their diligent effort.
He acknowledged the Nigerian Army, the Department of State Services, the Nigerian Police, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, the Standards Organisation of Nigeria, and the Nigerian Army for their support in the port for the command’s accomplishments.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with seven years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Master's degree in Mass Communication.
