Apapa Customs Command Rakes in N1.6 Trillion in Q3 as Comptroller Olomu Boosts Trade Facilitation Efforts
The Apapa Port Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has recorded a substantial revenue collection of N1,610,906,781,421.82k by the end of the third quarter of 2024, marking a significant increase compared to the N1,172,414,793,960.32k collected for the entire year of 2023.
This achievement was attributed to diligent efforts by the Command under the leadership of Comptroller Babatunde Olomu.
Comptroller Olomu, in a statement, credited the revenue success to the Command’s focus on integrity and sustained engagement with stakeholders, which he believes will further improve revenue collection and combat smuggling.
Highlighting key milestones, Olomu noted that the Command collected N201.8 billion in July and N193.9 billion in September 2024, expressing optimism that these figures could be replicated in the final quarter of the year.
Under the guidance of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, the Apapa Command has implemented several trade facilitation initiatives, including the Advance Ruling, Time Release Study, and the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) programme.
These efforts, Comptroller Olomu said, are designed to boost economic activity while maintaining high standards of compliance.
He also commended the officers of the Command for their vigilance in ensuring accurate revenue collection through diligent cargo examinations and the issuance of demand notices where necessary.
The Area Controller reaffirmed the Command’s zero tolerance for smuggling, stating that consistent engagement with stakeholders has resulted in significantly reduced smuggling activities at the port.
According to Comptroller Olomu, the strict monitoring of cargo, regular profiling of port users, stakeholder sensitisation, and continuous training of customs officers have all contributed to this achievement.
“We have seen a marked reduction in smuggling, and I am confident that this trend will continue as we maintain our vigilance,” he said.
He urged port users, including licensed customs agents, freight forwarders, importers, exporters, and haulage operators, to utilise the services of the Dispute Resolution Team for any uncertainties.
Olomu also expressed gratitude to sister government agencies for their support, stating that the Command will continue to collaborate with them to share intelligence, conduct joint examinations, and promote compliance.
“Our revenue collection is commendable, and I believe we can achieve even better results in the last quarter of 2024. Reduced smuggling is a testament to the level of compliance we are celebrating. Our vigilance remains airtight, and we are fully capable of detecting smuggling and making seizures,” Olomu stated.
He emphasised that trade facilitation and anti-smuggling activities are being carried out simultaneously, with non-intrusive technology, such as cargo scanning, being employed alongside physical examinations when required.
He assured stakeholders that all standards and procedures are being strictly followed in bonded terminals under the Command’s control.
The Apapa Customs Command said it remains committed to maintaining its high level of performance as it works towards surpassing its revenue targets and further curbing smuggling activities.
