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By Kenneth Jukpor
Despite the tough economic times in the nation, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has collected N366billion as revenue in the first half of the year 2021 at the Apapa port.
The Area Controller, Comptroller Yusuf Malanta revealed this while briefing newsmen on the Command’s half year report, earlier today.
The sum of N366 billion from January to June 2021 represents 61% increase when compared to the N227 billion collected in the first half of 2020 at the Command.
Noting that the Command has took a giant stride in the just concluded month of June which yielded an outstanding result in revenue generation, Malanta stated that N78.4 billion was collected by Customs in the month of June 2021.
The Command’s revenue figure for last month also shows an increase of over 90% when compared to the N42.4 billion collected in the corresponding month in 2020.
“Our sustained anti-smuggling campaign and the increased level of compliance have resulted in reduction of smuggling activities throughout the command. Thus, for the period under review, the Command recorded 10 seizures of various uncustoms goods such as tomato paste, used clothing, unregistered pharmaceutical drugs, etc. with a Duty Paid Value of N442 million,” the Area Controller said.
He, however, posited that this spectacular achievement was made possible by officers’ resilience and commitment in ensuring collection of appropriate revenue, robust stakeholders’ engagement and seamless facilitation of compliant trade.
Speaking on exports, the Area Controller revealed that goods worth N272.3 billion have been exported through Apapa port in the first half of the year.
“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,” he said.
On behalf of the officers and men of the Command, he appreciated the Comptroller-General of Customs, Col. Hammed Ali (Rtd) and his management team for the opportunity, support and encouragement in the course of discharging their responsibilities.
Meanwhile, he urged all importers, exporters, Customs brokers and freight forwarders to imbibe the culture of compliance as part of their standard operating procedure as it will reduce the time and cost of doing business at the port.
The Command also strengthened its anti-smuggling operation against economic saboteurs with the seizure of 46 containers in the first half of the year with Duty Paid Value of N27.6 billion.
“All these importations are contrary to the provision of sections 46 & 47 of Customs and Excise Management Act CAP C45 LFN 2004 and Customs & Excise Notices No. 1491,” the Customs boss added.
