The Apapa Port Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has generated N1.61 trillion revenue in the third quarter (Q3) of 2024.

The Customs Area Controller, Apapa Command, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu, disclosed this in a statement on Monday, October 7, 2024.

Olomu said that the figure was higher than the N1.17 trillion generated as total revenue in 2023.

Olomu described the feat as a fall-out of diligence and integrity, adding that the command would continually engage with stakeholders to improve on revenue collection and reduce smuggling.

He identified the N201.8 billion collected in July and N193.9 billion in September as spectacular figures capable of being replicated in the last quarter of 2024.

He noted that various trade facilitation programmes put in place by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, were dutifully implemented.

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Olomu listed some of the programmes to include advance ruling, time release study, and Authorised Economic Operator (AEO).

Olomu commended the command’s effort to achieve increased revenue collection relying on diligent examination and uncompromising interventions through issuance of demand notices, where and when necessary.

The Area Controller reiterated the CGC’s zero tolerance for smuggling and warned those involved in illegal businesses to desist forthwith.

The Apapa Customs official said the command would continually engage with all stakeholders to sustain the rising level of compliance, which he said resulted in reducing smuggling in the area.

Olomu stated that the strict monitoring of cargoes, constant profiling of port users, sensitisation of stakeholders, in-house training, and retraining of customs officers jointly contributed to the zero level of smuggling in recent times.

Olomu urged port users in Apapa to avail themselves of the services of the dispute resolution team to resolve all areas of uncertainty while reassuring stakeholders of the command’s readiness to assist at all times.

He thanked other government agencies for their support, saying the command would leverage on its relationship with them to share intelligence against criminals.

The Star