“The Apapa Customs Command has consistently strived in its core mandates of revenue generation, prevention and suppression of smuggling, Trade facilitation, implementation of government fiscal policies”
By Uzor Odigbo
Apapa Command of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) collected N522.4b revenue between January and June 2022, with a significant increase of N156 billion as against N366.5 billion collected in the same period in 2021, representing a 42.5% increase.
Also, the Command recorded a boom in the exportation of non-oil commodities with about 2.5 million metric tonnes, above the 540 metric tonnes in 2021.
The Free on Board (FOB) value for the exported items rose from $1.6 million in the year 2021 to $138 million in 2022 from exportation of steel bars, agricultural and mineral products amongst others.
The Customs Area Controller (CAC), Comptroller Malanta Ibrahim Yusuf, who made the disclosure in Apapa on Friday said it has surpassed the half year target by 20%.
In the area of anti-smuggling, it intercepted dangerous items, resulting in the seizure of 83 containers with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N8.3 billion for the period under review.
Compt. Malanta said, “The Command has consistently strived in its core mandates of revenue generation, prevention and suppression of smuggling, Trade facilitation, implementation of government fiscal policies as well as collaboration and cooperation with other government agencies to ensure ease of doing business in the port.
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“This feat was made possible because of our officers’ resilience in ensuring identified revenue leakages have been mitigated, while sustaining the level of compliance by the importers/stakeholders in the clearance value chain.
“The Federal Government policy and export incentive schemes have played vital roles in boosting export trade in Nigeria.
“Our anti-smuggling operation is guided by the Federal Government Import and Export prohibition lists, as well as other government fiscal policies as directed”.
Some of the seized items include: 32 containers of processed/unprocessed wood; five containers of unregistered pharmaceuticals; 18 containers of used clothings/shoes; 12 containers of foreign parboiled rice; seven containers of vegetable oil; three containers of tomato paste and 1x20ft container laden with 150 cartons of tramadol.
According to the CAC, 21 suspects have been arrested in connection with the seizures made. He further added that a suspect has been arrested in the recent seizure of 1x20ft container of tramadol and he is currently undergoing interrogation/investigation.
The Comptroller also revealed that the command recently handed over 2x20ft containers no. SUDU 7774749 and UETU2798479 laden with 150 cartons of illicit hard drugs to the NDLEA to further strengthen existing relationship between relevant government agencies in the port.
“I want to respectfully extend our profound appreciation to the CGC and his Management team for their unrelenting support, government agencies in the port for collaboration and synergy, Officers and men of Apapa Command for their tireless commitment, our compliant stakeholders, and the media for their unalloyed support”, Malanta added