Apapa Customs Command Achieves Record Revenue ,Rakes In N1.875tr, Seizes Illicit Pharmaceuticals
Apapa Customs Command Achieves Record Revenue ,Rakes In N1.875tr, Seizes Illicit Pharmaceuticals
By Frank Odinukaeze
In a press briefing held on November 4, 2024, at the Apapa Port Command, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu, Ph.D., fsi, announced significant achievements by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) in revenue collection and anti-smuggling efforts.
Despite a decline in trade volume, the Apapa Port Command has successfully blocked revenue leakages, achieving a remarkable increase in revenue collection. From January to October 2024, the command generated a total of ₦1.875 trillion, a 101% increase compared to the ₦931 billion collected during the same period in 2023.
The October 2024 collection alone reached ₦264.5 billion, the highest monthly collection in the command’s history. Comptroller Olomu expressed optimism about surpassing the annual target of ₦2.2 trillion as the year concludes.
The NCS is advancing towards a modern, paperless system to enhance trade facilitation. The Apapa Port Command has integrated tools such as the Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) program and Advanced Ruling to ensure seamless cargo movement. In alignment with the Federal Government’s Ease of Doing Business agenda, the command operates on weekends to expedite cargo delivery. Recently, the command facilitated Nigeria’s first shipment to Kenya under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement, marking a significant milestone in intra-African trade. Ok
In a robust demonstration of inter-agency collaboration, the NCS will hand over six containers of falsely declared and unwholesome pharmaceutical products to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). These containers, containing expired and unapproved medications, were intercepted to prevent potential harm to Nigerian consumers. Comptroller Olomu emphasized the NCS’s commitment to safeguarding the well-being and security of Nigerians by preventing the importation of illicit goods.
Comptroller Olomu noted that, “‘From January 2024 to date, we have made well over thirty-six (36) seizures of various items ranging from used clothings, frozen poultry product, Tramadol, unregistered pharmaceutical products, and other controlled substances. These seizures are valued at over N1.5 billion” he said
On Compliance,the Apapa Area controller,said,”On my watch, the stakeholder’s compliance level in Apapa port has increased and this is a testament to the very regular interactions we have established as directed by the CGC.”
Comptroller Olomu expressed appreciation to other sister agencies ,noting that their cooperation has played a major role in the success so far recorded by the command
“I want to specially thank all sister government agencies and our strategic private sector partners for being part of the success we are celebrating today. Their contributions have been invaluable and the impacts are evident in our scorecard”
Comptroller Olumu said the seizures would serve as a deterrent to those involved in any form of illegality and an encouragement for lawful and compliant traders.
He vowed that every consignment passing through the NCS in this port will be subjected to thorough examination using scanners and physical means when necessary
” We shall continue to detect false declarations, concealment, under valuation and other unethical practices aimed at evading duties, short changing the government and exposing citizens to unsafe products” Comptroller Olumu assured
The press briefing highlighted the NCS’s dedication to revenue generation, trade facilitation, and anti-smuggling efforts, reinforcing its role in promoting economic growth and protecting public health.
