Apapa command generated N1.02trn in six months, says customs

The Apapa command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) in Lagos says it generated N1.02 trillion from January to June 2024.

Speaking at a press briefing on Monday, Babatunde Olomu, the comptroller of the command, said the figure is a 143 percent increase from the N421.38 billion generated during the same period in 2023.

Olomu said the command is recording “significant progress” in its efforts to tackle leakages in revenue generation.

“Our efforts have been mainly targeted at preventing revenue losses, improving ease of doing business, and engaging stakeholders,” NAN quoted Olomu as saying.

“We have implemented measures to prevent government revenue loss by using a blend of intelligence and community relations.”

The comptroller said within six months, the command seized 11 containers of prohibited items, including expired drugs, contraband goods, and frozen birds worth N424 million.

“These seizures were made from dishonest importers attempting to smuggle goods into Nigeria,” Olomu said.

Olomu said the importers of the smuggled items violated schedule three of the revised import prohibition list of the common external tariff (CET) and section 233 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.

He noted that the seizure was successful because of the support from other security agencies, including the police, the Department of State Services (DSS), the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NAFDAC), the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON), and the army.

The comptroller said cargo inspection would not be compromised, adding that the command would continue to make seizures of imports that violate the law.

“No cargo is allowed to exit our control without thorough inspection using the scanner,” Olomu said.