BY NKECHI NAECHE-ESEZOBOR–The Apapa Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on Tuesday said it’s revenue profile between January to November 2021 stood at N784.8 billion.
This was disclosed by the command’s Area Controller, Comptroller Yusuf Malanta Ibrahim, in Lagos, that the command collected and recorded a breaking revenue figure of N89.7 billion in November 2021 which is the highest monthly collection by any command of the NCS.
Ibrahim attributed the outstanding performance to improved inter agency synergies, enhanced trade facilitation, speedy dispute resolution and prevention of revenue leakage.
On seizures made, he said the Command recorded 13 containers seizures with
duty paid value of 285 million in the month of November 2021.
He added that seizures 46.55 kg of cocaine concealed on vessels MV KARTERIA and CHAYANEE NAREE with a street value of N13.2 billion was also recorded on two different occasions. The Command’s seizure record between January-November 2021 stood at ninety-seven 97 containers
with a total duty paid value of N17.5 billion.
He noted that notable among the seized items are hard substance like Captagon pills,
Cocaine, Tramadol, Codeine syrup, Foreign par boiled rice, Tomato paste, used clothings, etc.
These he said were seizures made based on clear contravention of sections 46, 47 and 161 of CEMA (Customs and Excise
Management Act) Cap C45 LFN 2004.
He said “For the avoidance of doubt, we would like to reiterate here that we will not compromise proper examination on the altar of trade facilitation, and we will also not relent on sharing intelligence to alert the system on false declaration even after examination or release of falsely declared cargo.
He noted that “concealments will always be unveiled through the use of forensic manifest management system and synergy with other sister agencies in the port.
He appluded stakeholders and compliant traders for keeping to the rules of engagement on import and export procedures by adhering to the dictates of import/export guidelines.
He however warned perpetrators of illegalities that our officers are always vigilant to uncover any form of unlawful trade.
He urged the trading public to make sincere declarations, pay accurate duty and get required permits to avoid losing their investments and facing prosecution.
