Apapa Customs Command Hits #2 Trillion Revenue Collection

Apapa Customs Command Hits #2 Trillion Revenue Collection.
… Aims to Realise Target Before December.

By Joe Njoku,
Global Freight News.

The Apapa Premier Port Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has achieved a revenue collection of #2.01 trillion as at November 19, 2024.

Customs Area Controller (CAC) of the Apapa Premier Port Command, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu, fsi disclosed this while addressing officers and men on a parade on Wednesday November 20, 2024, said the command aims at achieving its #2.2 trillion revenue target for the year by the end of November ahead of December.

Comptroller Olomu said that the command is drawing the inspiration from the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR who announced the total collection of #5.07 by the Service trillion at the just concluded CGC conference in Abuja.

According to him, “Apapa Port Command plays a critical role in the overall performance of the Service nationwide.
He said that the command contributed 40% of the #5.07 total target of the Service that has been met so far, which underscores the high expectations and responsibility of the command.

He urged officers to align with the outstanding examples set by the Comptroller-General of Customs in revenue collection, trade facilitation, uncompromising enforcement and sustained stakeholders engagement in the Service and national interest.

He therefore, charged the officers to keep the trajectory of good revenue and enforcement records sustained and ensure that seizures made from smugglers should be backed with suspects for prosecution.

He also said that arresting smugglers with their wares would cause greater impact in the fight against smuggling.

He used the opportunity of the parade to update the officers on important highlights from the CGC Conference. He urged them to imbibe the spirit and letter of the theme, which was “Engaging Traditional and New Partners With Purpose”.

Olomu said, the NCS 2024 CGC Conference theme aligns with that of the World Customs Organization which seeks to leverage on achievable gains from cordial relationship across organizations and individuals to achieve customs goals.

He listed some outcomes from the conference which include sustenance of diligent import and export cargo examination with the deployment of hundred percent physical examination where necessary, granting of access to enforcement unit officers to view the Nigeria Integrated Customs Information System (NICIS) platform, and avoidance of indiscriminate intervention of alerts which makes service personnel appear to be working at cross purposes.

According to him, the NCS is one and should operate and be seen as one. Other fallout from the CGC Conference announced by the Area Controller are the banning of Commercial activities within customs formation and premises.

He listed such activities like the engagement of Point of Sales (PoS) operators aground customs offices, and involvement of Customs officers in clearing jobs, that is doubling as licensed agents, which conflict with their official mandates.

Other messages from the Conference announced by Comptroller Olomu are compulsory and routine medical checks for all officers, instituting rewards and honouring outstanding officers for their productivity, development of inter zonal games being put together by the Service Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC), fully automated of transire by first quarter of 2025 and the expansion of the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) and Advance Rulings (AR) scheme.

He also announced that the command is planning an award night for deserving officers and stakeholders that have contributed to its success in 2024. He also gave plagues award to some units and individuals for excellent discharge of their functions.

The compliant unit was honoured the recovery of over #2 billion in the last three months. Efforts of the Revenue Recovery Unit that also prevented the loss of #3 billion within the last three months was also recognised.

Assistant Comptroller M Samad received an award from the CAC for diligence and regular detention of under valuation. Olomu also honoured Inspection of Customs, Adamu Bashir as best dressed and punctual officer.