Apapa Customs achieves N81.7bn income flow in 2018 .Strengthens stakeholders’ synergy for speedy cargo clearance

Apapa Customs achieves N81.7bn income flow in 2018

.Strengthens stakeholders’ synergy  for speedy cargo clearance

By Udeme Clement

The Apapa Area Command, known as the flagship of Nigeria Customs Service  ,NCS, has realised N81.7billion  income flow for the Federal Government, in the first quarter of 2018.

The Customs Area Controller ,CAC, of the Command,  Comptroller Jibril Musa, disclosed this through the Public Relations Officer ,PRO, Nwala, Nkeiruka Ijeoma.

Nwala explained, “The CAC has been working assiduously to raise the tempo of revenue collection for the Federal Government, which has reflected in the huge sum generation at present. The N81.7billion when compared to N77. 4 billion  revenue collected at the same period in 2017, shows an increase  of N4. 3billion. We are optimistic that with the roll out of Nigeria Integrated Customs Information System II ,NICIS II at Apapa, which is expected to block all revenue leakages, as well as repair of access roads, the Command will build on its revenue profile in the months ahead”.

On anti- smuggling, she pointed out, “The Command in the first quarter recorded four seizures of 4x40ft containers fully loaded with controlled drugs, which include tramadol in excess of approved milligrams. The Duty Paid Value ,DPV, of the 4x40ft containers was put at N110million.”

Talking about export activities, she enthused,  “The Command in the first quarter of 2018 recorded a total of 280,000 metric tons of various exports with a total FOB value of $115,093,562”.

Her assertions, “Comptroller  Musa is doing a lot for the Command, as he continues to reinvigorate all strategies and measures put in place for effective  implementation of the ‘Presidential Executive order on Ease of Doing Business’.   It is worthy of note to mention that NCS is the lead Agency in implementing the Presidential mandate. Therefore, Apapa Customs that is selected as the pilot Command has since created a Central Examination Centre ,CEC, where all stakeholders involved in cargo clearance conduct examination at agreed time with reports imputed almost immediately. This synergy is paying off remarkably, as consignments with no record of infractions are released within 24 hours, while those with infractions are referred to dispute resolutions committee for further interventions/investigations”.

“The CAC has pledged his resolve to keep strengthening the already robust working collaboration with all agencies of government for an enhanced international trade facilitation. Within the period under review, he hosted different high- level government delegations from within and outside the country, with a view to promoting efficiency and trade facilitation for economic growth. These include; the Senate Committee on Customs led by its Chairman Senator. Hope Uzodimma, a delegation from Japanese Customs led by the Ambassador to Nigeria, National Committee on trade facilitation led by its Chairman Mr. A. M. Abubakar, New Commander Nigeria Navy Clearance Agency, NAFDAC Director in charge of ports inspection Prof. S. B. Adebayo and a delegation from NTA.”

“Others who visited the Command include one of the NCS reform champions, DC Tony Anyalogu, who sensitised officers on revised government fiscal policy in line with the Presidential Executive Order. Similarly, the Command also played host to Deputy Comptroller General of Customs in- charge of Excise industrial incentive and free trade zone (EII&FTZ  DCG Iferi Patience,  who visited LADOL Free Trade Zone and wharf, to ascertain the compliance level to the provisions of regulations on Free Trade Zone Concessions”.

She explained further, “The purpose for these visits was to strengthen the already existing working relationship and to seek possible ways of improving speedy cargo clearance from the port. However, the message that remained clear and constant during these visitations from the CAC was that Nigeria is the only country we have, as such, we all have the responsibility of building it for sustainable development. He charged importers to make honest declarations, in order to achieve timely clearance and release of their cargoes”.

She emphasized, “On the whole, Apapa Customs Command appeals to all stakeholders and the public to cooperate with NCS by always ensuring total compliance to extant laws and regulations, which at the long-run will improve our rating in global trade indices for a seamless and speedy cargo clearance”.