. Generates 40% of Customs Revenue of N5.07trn Recorded In Nov
. Set to Achieve N2.2trn Revenue Target This Nov, Honours Deserving Unit , Officers
By Shola Fadeyi
In a demonstration of leadership as the flag Command of the Nigerian Customs Service(NCS) ,The Apapa Port Command has collected a revenue of N2.01trillion as at November 19, 2024, exceeding the total revenue of N1.17 trillion it generated in the whole of 2023 by over 100 per cent , despite the fall in the volume of goods imported into the country, in recent times.
The revenue figure recorded by the Command represents over 40% of the N5.07trillion target of the Nigerian Customs for 2024 , which the Service has already recorded as at November 2024, showing the critical role of the Command in the overall revenue generation profile of the Service.
Customs Area Controller(CAC) of the Command, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu, fsi who disclosed this while addressing officers and men on a parade on Wednesday, November 20, 2024, said the Command aims at achieving its N2.2tr target for this year, by the end of this month ahead of December.
Comptroller Olomu said the command is drawing inspiration from the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi,MFR who announced the total collection of N5.07tr by the Service on November 12, 2024, at the just concluded CGC Conference in Abuja.
The Controller implored officers to align with the outstanding examples set by CGC Adeniyi in revenue collection, trade facilitation, uncompromising enforcement and sustained stakeholder engagement in the Service and in the national interest.
Olomu implored 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, adding that arresting smugglers with their wares would cause greater impact in the fight against smuggling.
Comptroller Olomu 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”.
He said the NCS 2024 CGC Conference theme aligns with that of the World Customs Organisation which seeks to leverage on achievable gains from cordial relationships across organisations 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 Nigetia Integrated Customs Information System (NICIS) platform; and avoidance of Indiscriminate intervention alerts which makes service personnel appear to be working at cross purposes. According to CAC Olomu,NCS is one and should operate and be seen as one.
Other fall-outs from the CGC Conference announced by the Area Controller are the banning of commercial activities within customs formations and premises. He listed such activities like the engagement of Point of Sales (PoS) operators around customs offices, and involvement of customs officers in clearing jobs, that is doubling as licensed agents, which conflict with their official mandates.
Other messages cascaded from the 2024 CGC 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 automation of transire by first quarter of 2025 and the expansion of the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) and Advance Ruling(AR) scheme.
Comptroller Olomu 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 plaques of award to some units and individuals for excellent discharge of their functions.
The Compliance Unit was honoured for the recovery of over N2b in the last three months. Efforts of the Revenue Recovery Unit that prevented the loss of N3b within the last three months was also recognised.
Assistant Comptroller M. Samad received an award from the CAC for due diligence and regular detection of under valuation.
The Controller also honoured Inspector of Customs Adamu Bashir as best dressed and punctual officer.
