By Aisha Cole
The Apapa Area 1 Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) generated N404 billion in 2018, up from the N350.9 billion during the same period in 2017.
The Customs Area Controller of the command, Comptroller, Bashir Abubakar, made this known while briefing newsmen in Lagos on Thursday.
According to him, the amount realised was 95 per cent of the 2018 revenue target of N426.1 billion.
“This also shows that the command collected N53 billion above the revenue generated in 2017,” the controller said.
Abubakar attributed the success to the selfless stance of the officers and men as well as the support of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Retired Col. Hameed Ali and his management team.
He said the command adopted a strategy which led to seamless operation of the import and export businesses, and introduced 24-hour dispute resolution team as well as one spot examination by all units and agencies.
“The strategies include advanced system and monitoring, collaboration between internal and external units of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and other government agencies,” the controller said.
He said these strategies had helped to block most revenue leakages and enhanced trade facilitation and security.
“Seventy two containers of various general goods such as used spare parts, used tyres and sundry goods valued N9.626 billion in 2018 were intercepted.
“In the year under review, the command also seized and condemned 41 x 40ft containers of controlled pharmaceutical drugs including tramadol in excess of the allowable milligrammes with Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N8.81 billion.
“The command also intercepted and seized an export-bound used helicopter with registration number 5BN valued at N210.6 million, in addition to another port-bound Aircraft ‘Cessna 182A’ in CKD with serial no. 3400 valued at N486.9 million.
“These above items were seized in accordance with the provisions of the extant laws and guidelines.
“All these items were seized owning to various infractions such as false declaration, concealment and complete disregard of import and export guidelines,” Abubakar said.
He said that the command recorded high level of compliance on export declaration, while 2,500 containers were blocked over non-compliance.
Abubakar said the command recorded 1.21 million tonnes of exported goods in 2018 valued 239.47 million dollars, equivalent of N73.15 billion.
The customs chief said the increase in revenue was also due to the implementation of the Nigeria Integrated Customs Information System II (NICIS II) in Apapa, which had blocked revenue leakages in cargo clearance procedures.
He noted that the command’s achievements in 2018 earned it the World Customs Organisation (WCO) award of merit for rendering exceptional service of the international customs community during the World Customs Day in Abuja in January.
He urged stakeholders to continue to cooperate with customs by adhering strictly to the extant laws and guidelines on import and export for the collective good of the nation. (NAN)
