Trade facilitation : Apapa Customs scan 130 containers daily

Trade facilitation :
Apapa Customs scan 130 containers daily

… As Compt Mohammed records 110,448 metric tons of exports worth N70.2bn

The Customs Area Controller (CAC) of Apapa Command, Compt Auwal Mohammed and his team have increased the tempo of trade facilitation in the Premier port.

This is evident in the volume of export trade, as the Command recorded 110,448 metric tons of exports valued at N70.2billion in the first quarter of 2023, which is equivalent to Free on Board (FOB) value of $159,845,232.84.

Items exported include
sesame seeds, ginger, hibiscus, mineral resources and steel ingot, among others.

Compt Mohammed revealed the export figures to Journalists during press conference at the Command, today.

He explained that the scanners at the Premier port are functioning optimally and officers are carrying out cargo examination promptly.

His words :  ” The scanners are working effectively. We scan about 120 to 130 containers every day.
We scan from 8am to 12mid might on daily basis”

The CAC emphasised :  “Our functions of revenue generation, suppression of smuggling and facilitating legitimate trade have been consistently implemented within the first three months of 2023.

“While I am meeting with various stakeholders and partner government agencies to ensure the tempo of compliance is sustained and improved upon, the Command stood forthright in foiling attempts at smuggling prohibited items in and out of the country”.

He hinted reporters :
“The command recorded a total collection of N212,592,680,700.99 (approximately N212.6 billion) revenue covering January-March 2023.”

On anti-smuggling operations during the period under review, he said;
“it is pertinent to mention that on Friday, March 31, 2023, we uncovered a large quantity of 225mg tramadol tablets concealed in 2x40ft container numbers TRHU 4758549 and TRHU 6936803. 143,800,000 tablets of Tramadol were discovered in 720 cartons, weighing 10,386kg.

“The tramadol originated from India. This single seizure is valued at N21.6billion.

“We are on the look-out for those behind such unlawful importation for arrest. Very soon, we will track them down to face the full wrath of the law. As a service, we owe Nigerians the duty to prevent this kind of importation from entering the market, in order to safeguard the health of the citizenry.

“Let me use this opportunity to warn perpetrators of smuggling, duty evasion and other forms of criminality frowned upon by Customs and Excise Management Act (CEMA), that Apapa Command will only facilitate legitimate trade.”

The Command also made seizures of 14 containers comprising of footwears, secondhand clothings, unprocessed wood, vegetable oil and other items worth N22billion in Duty Paid Value, as shown on the pictures.

Prohibited items seized by Apapa Command in 2023 first quarter