APAPA CUSTOMS GENERATES N502 BILLION …STEPS UP COMPLIANCE THROUGH SYSTEM PROFILING, MANIFEST TRACKING

The Apapa Command of Nigeria Customs Service has collected a total of N502,987,516,219.26 from January 2023 to date and made 16 seizures with  a duty paid value (DPV) of N1.4 billion within the same period.

The Customs Area Controller (CAC) of the Command , Comptroller Auwal Baba Mohammed, according to the press release by the command Public Relations Officer, CSC A Usman, described the revenue collection and seizures made as a fallouts of increased compliance, urged officers to redouble  their efforts in revenue collection, trade facilitating and strict enforcement of anti smuggling activities.

The statement revealed that the command, on July 20, 2023, made a collection of N9.2b which is the highest daily collection ever achieved by the command in its existence since the port was established

It was also revealed that  seizures made within the period comprised of prohibited drugs, used tyres, rice, vegetable oil, and  sundry items.

It is noteworthy that the command made a seizure of two pistols inside one groupage cargo. One suspect was arrested in connection with the seizure and the matter is undergoing investigation.

In the area of trade facilitation, the Command under the  Compt. AB Mohammed has achieved an increased level of compliance by importers, exporters, and their agents through deliberate system profiling and manifest tracking.

Under the CAC's direct supervision , dedicated officers of the command are  using the system profiling yardstick to gauge the integrity levels of importers and consignees. 

This has helped in treating traders in line with their previous transaction records, which is reassuring that compliance pays through time saving and cost efficiency.  

The Controller urged all port users to be complaint and advised that compliant traders are  shielded from the risk of getting their consignments seized; imposition of penalties after demand notices and possible arrests for prosecution as the case may require.

According to Comptroller Mohammed, non compliant traders spend more time and money paying for terminal space due to demurrage plus higher cost due to DN"s and penalties.

Comptroller Mohammed has also raised the level of electronic manifest tracking to accelerate trade facilitation leveraging on available technology.

The CAC described this feat as a masterstroke in the journey towards trade facilitation and ease of doing business.

The release also stated that, Comptroller Mohammed had a by t a recent monthly meeting of Terminal/Unit Heads, exhorted all officers of the command to sustain and improve upon the level of discipline the command has been noted for under his watch.

He characterised discipline as the foundation of good work etiquette, such as punctuality, diligent application of Nigeria Customs Service Act (NCSA) 2023 and other noble virtues that align with the law.

He further stressed that Nigeria has high expectations of the NCS and that the service is looking up to Apapa Command for its highest collection.

Compt. AB Mohammed charged officers/men of the Command to use their knowledge of the job and the rules guiding the service  to facilitate legitimate trade.

He said, " As we facilitate trade for compliant traders, let's be wary of the possibility  of releasing uncustom goods in error or in the guise of facilitating trade

"I hereby charge you to do better in the second half of 2023 as the glory for the successes recorded in the first half belongs to all of us" the CAC said.