… Rakes in N522.4 billion as revenue
The Apapa command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has seized 83 containers of dangerous items with a Duty Paid Value of N8.3 billion within the first six months of the year 2022.
The command also arrested 21 suspects in connection with the seizures made within the period under review.
The Customs Area Controller of the command, Comptroller Malanta Ibrahim Yusuf who disclosed this in a press briefing in Lagos on Friday gave a breakdown of the seizures to include: 32 containers of processed/unprocessed wood, 5 containers of unregistered pharmaceutical as well as 18 containers of used clothings/shoes.
Others include: 12 containers of foreign parboiled rice, 7 containers of Vegetable oil, 3 containers of Tomato Paste and 1x20ft container laden with 150 cartons of tramadol.
Comptroller Yusuf further disclosed that a suspect had been arrested in the recent seizure of 1x20ft container of tramadol adding that he was currently undergoing interrogation/investigation.
“To further strengthen existing relationship between relevant
government agencies in the port, the command had recently handed over 2x20ft containers no. SUDU 7774749 and UETU2798479 laden with 150 cartons of illicit hard drugs to the
NDLEA”, he said.
He, however, maintained that the anti-smuggling operation of the command was guided by the federal
government import and export prohibition lists as well as other
government fscal policies as directed.
Speaking on revenue collection drive of the command, the Controller noted that the command had consistently strived in its core mandates of revenue generation, prevention and suppression of smuggling, trade facilitation, implementation of government fiscal policies as well as collaboration and cooperation with other government
agencies to ensure ease of doing business in the port.
According to him, the command within the period under review had collected revenue to the tune of N522.4 billion showing a significant increase of
N156 billion as against N366.5 billion naira collected in the corresponding months of the year 2021 which he said represented 42.5% increase in revenue collection.
“This feat was made possible because of our officers’ resilience in ensuring identified revenue leakages have been mitigated while sustaining the level
of compliance by the importers and stakeholders in the clearance
value chain”, he added.
On export, Comptroller Yusuf said, “In line with the federal government efforts to diversify the economy through non-oil export, the command recorded a boom
in the exportation of non-oil commodities with about 2.5 million
metric tonnes, above the five hundred and forty thousand (540) metric tonnes in the year 2021.
“The Free on Board (FOB) value for
the exported items also rose from $1.6 million in the year 2021 to $138 million in 2022. Items exported includes steel
bars, agricultural and mineral products amongst others.
“The Federal Government policy and export incentive schemes have played vital roles in boosting export trade in Nigeria.”
While extending his appreciation to the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Col. Hameed Ali (rtd.) and his management team for the unrelenting support, the CAC further appreciated the government agencies in the port for collaboration and synergy, the officers, and men of Apapa Customs command for their tireless
commitment, the compliant stakeholders as well as the media for their unalloyed support.
Photo: Comptroller Malanta Ibrahim Yusuf, Customs Area Controller of Apapa Customs command conducting the journalists round the seizures made within the first six months of 2022 during a press briefing in Lagos on Friday.
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