Apapa Customs Command Achieves Record Revenue Collection In Q3 2024
Apapa Customs Command Achieves Record Revenue Collection In Q3 2024
..fakes in N1.61 trn
Comptroller Babatunde Olomu CAC,Apapa Customs Command
By Frank Odinukaeze
The Apapa Port Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has announced a remarkable revenue collection of N1.61 trillion by the end of the third quarter of 2024. This figure surpasses the total revenue of N1.17 trillion collected in 2023, marking a significant achievement for the command.
Comptroller Babatunde Olomu, the Customs Area Controller for the Apapa Command, attributed this success to the diligence and integrity of the officers. He emphasized the importance of continuous engagement with stakeholders to further enhance revenue collection and reduce smuggling activities.
Highlighting the impressive monthly collections, Comptroller Olomu noted that N201.8 billion was collected in July 2024, and N193.9 billion in September 2024. He expressed confidence that these figures could be replicated in the last quarter of the year.
The Comptroller credited the various trade facilitation programs introduced by the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, such as advance ruling, time release study, and the Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) program, for their role in boosting the nation’s economy.
Olomu commended the officers for their diligent examination and uncompromising interventions, which have significantly contributed to the command’s revenue achievements. He reiterated the CGC’s zero tolerance for smuggling and highlighted the command’s efforts in strict cargo monitoring, profiling of port users, and continuous training of customs officers.
The CAC urged all port users to utilize the services of the dispute resolution team to address any uncertainties. He reassured licensed customs agents, freight forwarders, importers, exporters, and haulage operators of the command’s readiness to assist at all times.
Comptroller Olomu also acknowledged the support of sister government agencies, emphasizing the importance of intelligence sharing and joint examinations to promote compliance and combat criminal activities.
“Our revenue collection is commendable, and I believe we can achieve even more impressive results in the last quarter of 2024,” Olomu stated. “The reduced smuggling activities affirm the compliance we are celebrating, and our vigilance remains airtight to detect and seize smuggled goods.”
He concluded by highlighting the command’s commitment to trade facilitation alongside robust anti-smuggling activities, leveraging non-intrusive technology for cargo scanning and physical examinations when necessary.
Chief Superintendent of Customs (CSC),Usman Abubakar, the Customs Public Relations Officer for the Apapa Port Command,in the statement on Monday ,expressed optimism about the future, stating that the best is yet to come for the command’s revenue collection and anti-smuggling efforts.
