By Chinonye Anyatonwu
The Apapa Customs Command of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has collected a total sum of N336b between the month of January to June, 2021.
Addressing the press in Lagos on the half year activities of the command, the Controller of the command, Compt.Yusuf Malanta Ibrahim disclosed that this year’s collection is over 61 percent above the N227B collected between January and June 2020.
Compt. Yusuf attributed the feat to improved compliance, diligent trade facilitation and creation of a one stop shop to make trade in the port more seamless.
He said compliant traders also enjoy fast track that will quicken the exit of cargoes which according to him saves time and costs. He added that the system put in place are in line with set standards of the World Customs Organisation (WCO).
On anti smuggling, Ibrahim said a total of ten seizures with duty paid value of N442M which comprised tomato paste,used clothing, unregistered pharmaceutical products and other imports.
”This unprecedented record is a great validation of our new approach to revenue drive. It is also fitting to emphasize here that this volume of revenue has never been recorded in the history of the flagship command of Nigeria Customs Service.
“Consequent upon the above and in-line with the provisions of the extant laws, trade guidelines and enforcement of government fiscal policy, the command was able to strengthen it’s anti smuggling operations against economic saboteurs through timely, credible intelligence driven network which led to the seizure of 46 containers between January to June 2021 with duty paid value of N27.6B
“All these importations are contrary to the provision of sections 46 and 47 of Customs and Excise Management Act CAP C45 LFN 2004 and Customs and Excise Notices No.1491
“This spectacular achievement was made possible by our officers resilience and commitment in ensuring collections of appropriate revenue, robust stakeholders engagement and seamless facilitation of compliant trade
Speaking on export, statistics showed that good worth N272.3 billion have been exported through Apapa port between Jan – June 2021.
These exports include Agricultural goods such as sesame seed, ginger, hibiscus flower and other mineral resources. The total tonnage of the said export stood at 1.6 million tones with FOB value of $103 billion.
“Finally, I want to use this medium to urge all importers, exporters, Customs brokers and freight forwarders to imbibe the culture of compliance as part of their standard operating procedure because it will reduce the time and cost of doing business.
” I equally wish to sincerely thank our valuable stakeholders in the clearance value chain, government agencies operating in the port and of course, members of the Forth-estate of the realm for their unflinching support towards the realization of this feat” Yusuf said.
