... Seizes N22.8Billion Worth Of Contrabands
The Apapa Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service said it recorded a 14.6% increase in revenue during the 2023 fiscal year as it generated a total of N1.172 trillion into the government coffers despite a decline in trade volume.
The command within the same period of 2023 also seized offending goods worth over N22.8 billion
According to the press statement by the Public Relations Officer of the command, CSC Abubakar Usman revenue was N149.8 billion above N1.022 trillion collected in 2022.
The Customs Area Controller of the command, Compt. Babajide Jaiyeoba, stressed that under his watch the Command made N11.3 billion daily collection November 22, 2023, the highest daily collection recorded in the history of the Nigeria Customs Service.
The statement also said the command recorded improved revenue by prioritizing trade facilitation, ensuring an enabling trade environment for importers, exporters and other members of the trading public as well as a sustained anti-smuggling activities.
In the area of anti-smuggling, the statement said, within the period under review, the command made 54 seizures with a Duty Paid Value of N22,847,295,900. The seizures were made due to infractions like contravention of extant import /export prohibition list, false declaration, unlawful concealment and others. A breakdown of the seizures comprises prohibited items such as used clothing, foreign parboiled rice, vegetable oil, tomato paste, among others.
The statement went further to state that the CAC of the Command, Comptroller Babajide Jaiyeoba has sounded a note of warning to smugglers and traders involved in any form of illegality that Apapa Port is a no-go area as any attempt to test the resolve of his officers will be met with seizure of their wares, arrest and prosecution with the Nigeria Customs Service Act (NCSA) 2023.
The statement said “The Controller, since he assumed office, has ensured stronger collaboration with sister government agencies operating in the area.
In his words, “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”.
The CAC, since assumption of office, has ensured that various stakeholders like importers, exporters, licensed customs agents, freight forwarding operators and other port users are being regularly educated on the need to be compliant at all times".
Jayeoba reiterated that the command operates an open-door policy where he meets regularly with stakeholders to address matters of common interest.The dispute resolution, query and amendment seats have been made more active to address the needs and also legitimate on the demands of port users
While soliciting for the support of stakeholders and all port players in the port system in achievjng a 48hrs cargo clearance, the Controller urged compliant traders to keep up their good deeds while advising others to emulate the virtue of honesty, noting that integrity is key to the achievement of 48-hour cargo clearance.
The command's boss thanked the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR and his management team for providing the command with the enabling environment to discharge its duties effectively, he also expressed his appreciation to officers and men of the Command for their relentless efforts as well as the stakeholders and members of the media for their unwavering support.
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