Apapa Customs Generates N1Trillion, Records Seizures Worth N14.4 Billion In One Year

The Nigeria Customs Service, Apapa Area Command said, it has generated One trillion, twenty-two billion, five hundred and thirty million, five hundred and twenty-three thousand, six hundred and ninety- nine Naira, four kobo (N1,022,530,523,699.4) as revenue for the year 2022.

The Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Yusuf Malanta made this known at a press briefing on Thursday, highlighting the activities of the Command for the year 2022.

Comptroller Yusuf said that even though the year was characterized by several challenges in the economic and trade supply chain. The Command was able to make giant strides in revenue collection, enforcement of anti-smuggling operations, and export promotion through technology-driven initiatives and synergy with noble stakeholders in the industry.

“It will be recalled that from the second quarter of last year, the industry has experienced a backdrop in trade, occasioned by fluctuation in the exchange rate and a sharp drop in the purchasing power by the consumers which made trade unpredictable. However, with all the above-mentioned setbacks in the clearance value chain, the command was able to collect such revenue “. He said.

‘The amount collected is 16.07% higher than the Eight hundred and seventy billion, three hundred and eighty-eight million, three hundred and forty thousand, six hundred and fifty naira, sixty-five kobo (N870,388,340,650.65) collected in 2021”. He emphasized.

“This feat was made possible because of our officers and men’s resilience in blocking revenue leakages and ensuring that all unpaid declarations and utilized Pre-Arrival Assessment Reports (PAARs) have been traced and accounted to the federal government coffers”. He noted

On Anti-Smuggling, he stated that a total number of one hundred and fifty-seven (157) containers with a duty paid value (DPV) of N14.4 billion were seized during the period under review, as against one hundred and two (102) containers with DPV of N31.8 billion seized in the year 2021.

The CAC noted that fake and prohibited drugs without necessary NAFDAC certification and overdose drugs of Tramadol top the list of seizures for the year.

“Other items seized include codeine syrup, foreign parboiled rice, vegetable oil, processed/unprocessed wood, used clothing, etc”. He emphasized.

“So far, a total number of 60 suspects were arrested in connection with some of the seizures and are at various stages of investigation and prosecution by other agencies of government we handed over to”. He revealed.

On export trade, the CAC pointed out that the Command recorded a total of $68.5 million Free on board (FOB) value with a naira equivalent of N28.2 billion of non-oil commodities with a total tonnage of 6.4 million Metric tonnes exported through Apapa port.

According to him, Items exported through Apapa Port last year 2022 include steel bars, agricultural produce such as hibiscus, sesame seeds, cocoa, cashew nuts, ginger, soya beans, and mineral products.

Meanwhile, the newly promoted officers at Apapa Command were decorated at the newly commissioned CGC Auditorium and charged to increase their level of productivity.

Officers promoted include, 4 Comptrollers, 10 Deputy Comptrollers, 6 Assistant Comptroller, and 8 Superintendents among others.