The Apapa Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) in Lagos State has generated N1.02 trillion in the first half of 2024.

The Customs Area Controller, Apapa Command, Babatunde Olomu, disclosed this at a press conference in Lagos on Monday, July 8, 2024.

Olomu said the figure represented a 143 per cent increase over the N421.38 billion generated during the same period in 2023.

Olomu stated that the Service’s efforts at promoting and facilitating trade were yielding significant results.

“Our efforts have been mainly targeted at preventing revenue losses, improving ease of doing business, and engaging stakeholders,” he said.

The Customs official noted that the command generated the amount despite a sharp reduction in trade volume.

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“We have implemented measures to prevent government revenue loss by using a blend of intelligence and community relations,” Olomu added.

Olomu disclosed that during the review period, the command intercepted 11 containers of regulated items, including expired drugs, contraband goods, and frozen birds worth N424 million, compared to 42 seizures with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N1.4 billion in the corresponding period of 2023.

“These seizures were made from dishonest importers attempting to smuggle goods into Nigeria,” he stated.

The command uncovered a large quantity of expired and unregistered pharmaceuticals in three 40ft containers.

It also uncovered three 40ft containers loaded with 7,580 cartons of frozen poultry products unfit for human consumption.

Olomu explained that the smuggled items violated Schedule Three of the revised import prohibition list of the Common External Tariff (CET) and Section 233 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023.

He commended the motivation and leadership of the Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, and thanked officers for their hard work.

Olomu said that in line with the CGC’s zero tolerance for smuggling, the command has reformed the management of cargoes moving from the mother port to bonded terminals by ensuring more meticulous oversight.

“No cargo is allowed to exit our control without thorough inspection using the scanner,” he said.

He assured that proper cargo inspection would not be compromised, adding that the command would continue to make seizures, detentions, and arrests where necessary.

This, he said, would help to protect the national economy and prevent Nigerians from exposure to dangerous or unwholesome products like illicit drugs.

The Star