The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Apapa Port Command, said it generated total revenue of N1.023 trillion from January to June 2024 despite a significant reduction in the volume of trade into the Lagos port complex.

The Customs Area Controller of the Apapa Port Command, Dr Babatunde Olomu, revealed this yesterday at the mid-year press briefing in Lagos.
He noted that despite a sharp reduction in the volume of trade into the country through the port, the amount generated represents a 143 per cent increase compared to the N421.4 billion collected during the corresponding period of last year.Olomu attributed the increase to extra measures put in place to prevent the loss of government revenue.

“Upon taking over as Area Controller of Apapa, I set up a revenue recovery committee comprising seasoned and dedicated officers with a mandate to closely examine areas of revenue leakages, especially in bonded terminals under Apapa Command,” he stated.

Regarding anti-smuggling efforts, Olomu said the command intercepted six 40-foot containers loaded with expired and unregistered pharmaceuticals and unwholesome frozen poultry products at the Apapa Port last week.

Displaying the seized item to journalists, he detailed that his colleagues uncovered a large quantity of expired and unregistered pharmaceuticals in three containers and 7,580 cartons of frozen poultry products unfit for human consumption in another three containers.

Olomu emphasised that these imports violate 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 warned perpetrators of smuggling, duty evasion and other forms of criminality that the command is determined to curb illicit importation.

“I have reformed the command’s approach to managing cargo transfers by ensuring meticulous oversight of cargoes moving from the mother port to bonded terminals. This measure is essential to prevent illegal activities in bonded terminals.

“To maintain this momentum, no cargo is allowed to exit our control without thorough inspection using the scanner. We will not compromise on this and will continue to make seizures, detentions, and arrests where necessary to protect the national economy and prevent Nigerians from exposure to dangerous or unwholesome products like illicit drugs,” Olomu stated.

The post Apapa Customs records N1tr revenue in six months despite trade decline appeared first on Guardian Nigeria News.

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