Apapa Customs Surpasses N2 Trillion Revenue Mark, Eyes Target Before December
The Apapa Port Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has achieved a remarkable milestone, collecting a total revenue of N2.01 trillion as of 19th November 2024.
According to CSC Usman Abubakar, Public Relations Officer, Apapa Port Command, this announcement was made by Comptroller Babatunde Olomu, fsi, the Customs Area Controller (CAC) of the command, during a parade held on Wednesday, 20th November 2024.
Addressing officers and men of the command, Comptroller Olomu expressed confidence in surpassing the year’s revenue target of N2.2 trillion before December.
He attributed the command’s performance to inspiration drawn from the Comptroller General of Customs (CGC), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, who recently disclosed the NCS’s overall revenue collection of N5.07 trillion at the just-concluded CGC Conference in Abuja.
Highlighting the strategic importance of the Apapa Port Command, Comptroller Olomu noted that it accounted for 40% of the N5.07 trillion total revenue collected by the service so far.
He acknowledged the heavy responsibilities placed on the command and urged officers to emulate the CGC’s exemplary leadership in revenue collection, trade facilitation, enforcement, and stakeholder engagement.
In his address, Comptroller Olomu called for sustained enforcement efforts, stressing the need to prosecute smugglers alongside seizing contraband.
He emphasised that arresting offenders would have a stronger impact in the fight against smuggling.
The CAC also briefed officers on key takeaways from the 2024 CGC Conference, centred on the theme, “Engaging Traditional and New Partners with Purpose.”
The theme aligns with the World Customs Organisation’s focus on leveraging partnerships for achieving customs goals.
Comptroller Olomu outlined significant outcomes from the conference, including:
Sustaining diligent import and export cargo examination, with physical checks when necessary.
Granting enforcement unit officers access to the Nigeria Integrated Customs Information System (NICIS) platform.
Minimising indiscriminate intervention alerts to ensure a unified service approach.
Banning commercial activities such as Point of Sales (PoS) operations and officers’ involvement in clearing jobs within customs premises.
Additionally, the conference introduced measures such as compulsory medical checks for officers, recognising outstanding personnel, and developing inter-zonal games under the Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC).
The full automation of the transfer process by the first quarter of 2025 and the expansion of the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) and Advance Ruling (AR) schemes were also highlighted.
The Apapa Port Command honoured outstanding officers and units for their contributions to the year’s success. Key awards included:
The Compliance Unit, for recovering over N2 billion in three months.
The Revenue Recovery Unit, for preventing a loss of N3 billion within the same period.
Assistant Comptroller M. Samad, recognised for diligence in detecting under-valuation.
Inspector of Customs Adamu Bashir, awarded as the best-dressed and most punctual officer.
The CAC also announced plans for an awards night to celebrate deserving officers and stakeholders who have significantly contributed to the command’s success in 2024.
Comptroller Olomu reaffirmed the commitment of the Apapa Port Command to excellence, innovation, and meeting national expectations as the year draws to a close.
