Apapa Customs generates N1.172trn revenue in 2023

 

Maureen Aguta

 

The Apapa Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on Friday announced that it collected a total revenue of N1.172 trillion from Import Duties 2023.

A statement by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Usman Abubakar, disclosed that the Customs Area Controller, Compt. Babajide Jaiyeoba, highlighted that the 2023 revenue collection marked a 14.6 per cent increase compared to the figure in 2022.

Contraband worth N22.84 billion was seized in the year under review, with a daily collection averaging N11.3 billion and a monthly collection reaching N145 billion.

“The Apapa Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has maintained improved revenue collection, surpassing the N1 trillion mark despite a decline in trade volume. It has prioritised trade facilitation and sustained anti-smuggling activities to safeguard the nation’s economy. In 2023, the command fulfilled its mandate by ensuring an enabling trading environment for importers, exporters, shipping companies, terminal operators, bonded warehouse owners, and others involved in customs control.”

“The command achieved significant milestones in revenue collection and trade facilitation in the past year, collecting a total of N1.172 trillion in 2023, surpassing the 2022 revenue collection by over N149.8 billion. Customs Area Controller Comptroller Babajide Jaiyeoba stated that the 2023 collection is 14.6 per cent higher than the figures recorded in 2022.”

“Under Compt. Jaiyeoba’s leadership, the command achieved a daily collection of N11.3 billion on November 22, 2023, marking the highest daily collection in the history of the NCS. Similarly, the command recorded N145 billion in revenue collection in October 2023, representing the highest monthly revenue collection by any customs command.”

Usman further disclosed that contraband worth N22.84 billion was seized in the year under review.

“In the area of anti-smuggling within the period under review, the command made 54 seizures with a Duty Paid Value of N22.84 billion. These seizures were made due to infractions like contravention of our extant import/export prohibition lists, false declaration, unlawful concealment, and others.”

Meanwhile, the Command has also continued to strengthen its collaborations with  sister agencies including the NPA, the Police, NDLEA, NAFDAC, DSS, Port Health Services and others in the area.

The Comptroller notes that “We understand the dynamic nature of maritime related crimes and have resolved to keep working together while trying to think ahead of criminal elements who may want to use Apapa port. The collaboration has yielded gains in our individual services and ensuring Apapa port remains safe for port users.”

Significantly, the Command has given a boost to stakeholders’ engagement as well as prompt attention to dispute resolution, query and amendment desks. These have ensured the prompt attention given to legitimate demands by port users.

Comptroller Jaiyeoba used the opportunity to solicit the support of stakeholders in the port system including haulage operators, terminal operators, shipping companies and the clearing and forwarding agents, to make possible the 48-hours cargo clearance plans.

He said, “It is achievable in no distant time if we play our roles effectively.”