Apapa Customs Hits Unprecedented Over N1 Trillion in 1st Half of 2024
...Intercepts Expired Pharmaceuticals, Frozen Poultry Products Worth N424M
The Nigeria Customs Service, Apapa Area Command, has recorded an unprecedented revenue collection of N1,023,663,842,255.63 from January to June 2024.
The Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu, made this known to newsmen during a press briefing noted that the revenue collected shows an increase of 143% above the figures collected in the corresponding period 2023.
"For the first half of 2024, between January-June, the command generated a total of N1,023,663,842,255.63. This shows an increase of 143% above the figures of N421,382,166,378.46 collected in the corresponding period in 2023.
"Whereas this collection is coming despite a sharp reduction in the volume of trade, it is necessary to note that extra measures have been put in place to prevent losses of government revenue," he stated.
Comptroller Olomu emphasised that upon taking over, he set up a revenue recovery committee "comprising of seasoned and dedicated officers with a mandate to carry out more detailed look into areas of leakages, especially in bonded terminals.’’
Speaking on trade facilitation, Olomu said, "We are applying a blend of intelligence with community relations for better awareness of our operating environment to achieve greater trade facilitation and fight criminality. I have a team of dedicated officers charged with the responsibility of addressing all complaints or disputes within record time before escalation to my office for prompt action."
Highlighting the Command's anti-smuggling activities, the Customs Area Controller stated that the command recorded 11 seizures of prohibited items, including unregistered/expired pharmaceuticals and frozen poultry products, among others, with a Duty Paid Value of N424,105,975.00.
"It is pertinent to mention that just last week, we uncovered a large quantity of expired and unregistered pharmaceuticals in 3x40ft container numbers TCKU 6928184, MRKU 4422733, MRSU 5550243, and another 3x40ft container nos. MNBU 3934925, MEDU 9107559 and MEDU 9752980 are loaded with 7,580 cartons of frozen poultry products unfit for human consumption, which is against schedule 3 of the revised import prohibition list of the Common External Tariff (CET). These importations violate section 233 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023," Olomu emphasised.
He stressed that the harmful effects of fake and unregistered pharmaceutical products on citizens are unquantifiable. He warned perpetrators of smuggling, duty evasion and other forms of criminality frowned upon by the NCS Act 2023 and other extant laws that the command is poised to nip illicit importation in the bud.
Comptroller Olomu stated that he had reformed the command's way of treating transires by ensuring more meticulous management of cargoes moving from the mother port to bonded terminals, in line with the CGC's zero tolerance for smuggling.
He commended sister government agencies for their support while continuing to collaborate in the national interest.
He appreciated the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi and the entire Management team for providing the needed support and leadership in discharging their responsibilities.
More photos below.
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