Advocates exports to boost economy
Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) surpassed its monthly revenue target with N32.9 billion collection in the Apapa Command in September.
Apapahad generated N34.9b in August, a record in all commands nationwide in the past 10 years.
The feat was achieved even in the face of the economic downturn caused by high exchange rate, reduced imports, and recession.
ApapaArea Controller, Willy Egbudin, has continually urged all officers to ensure maximum revenue collection through appropriate valuation, issuance of debit notices (DN), and strict anti-smuggling stance.
Egbudindirected full implementation of the directives of NCS Controller General, Hameed Ali, on outright seizure of any cargo or consignment falsely declared with intent to evade duty.
He reminded officers in Apapato see themselves as good examples for others to emulate as the command is ranked number one for many good reasons.
“Consider yourselves privileged to be serving in a sensitive Area Command that adds value to national income and revenue. We must continue to sustain our maximum revenue collection tempo and not betray the trust reposed in us,” he said.
“At this period of national economic recession, we must apply intelligence, tact and legitimate enforcement in detecting and plugging all possible areas of revenue leakages.
“I commend all my lieutenants and junior officers for this feat and urge them not to relent in ensuring revenue collection to the last dime while swiftly facilitating legitimate trade within the limits of our official capacities.
“We are making Apapa Command a no-go area for any form of lawless activity and dare say that whoever dares our resolve on this will be caught by the long arms of the law.”
Egbudinpledged that the command will continue in its drive for higher revenue without compromising national security.
He directed all officers in terminals to be vigilantagainst concealment, under declaration, and smuggling.
Advocates exports
In a related development, the Area Controller of Kirikiri Lighter Terminal Command of the NCS inApapa, Benjamin Aber, has urged Nigerians to be more serious about exportinggoods to replenishforeign reserves.
He made the plea at a meeting on the Nigerian Export Trade Hub (NETH) hosted by the command, saying the country needs to focus on exports to get out of recession.
Aber has been organisingmeetings for months to help revive the Kirikiri Terminal.
“It is time Nigeria moved forward in its export business. We need to move Nigeria forward away from reliance on oil. Agriculture can sustain this country.
“The Nigeria Customs Service is now in the forefront that export business should be done in such a way that it earns foreign exchange (forex) for the country,” he stressed.
He disclosed that all federal regulatory agencies would be linked to the NETH, and doing business through it would be easy.
NETH was launched in August 2016 by some government agencies and private sector stakeholders.
They included the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), NationalAgency for Food, Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC), and National Association of Chambers of Commerce Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA).
NETH aims to earn forex and also create trade balance.
Its Coordinator, Assistant Superintendent of Customs, Frank Ezeh, said it provides easy access for investors to import and export goods.
“This is to also guide against the ban or blacklisting of Nigerian exports to Europe and the world over.With this, the country’s balance of trade will be improved upon,” he enthused.
