Unprecedented :  Apapa Customs Command hits N1.8trillion revenue collection

Unprecedented :  Apapa Customs Command hits N1.8trillion revenue collection
…As Senate Committee gives Compt Olomu special commendation

The Senate Committee on Customs has given the Area Controller of Apapa Command, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu, special commendation on astronomical revenue collection of over N1.8trillion from January to September 2024.

The Senate Committee, led by its Chairman, Senator Jubrin Echocho, gave the commendation during a visit to the Command, which took place on October 25, 2024.

During the visit, the Senate Committee Chairman  expressed great enthusiasm on the exceptional performance by Compt Olomu after assessing operational progress made by the Area Controller in trade facilitation, revenue collection and anti-smuggling drive.

Most outstanding, the whopping sum of N1.8trillion generated by Compt Olomu is unprecedented in the history of Apapa Premier Port Command.

Aside remarkable revenue record, the Committee also applauded Compt Olomu on regular and
proactive engagements with relevant stakeholders in the port industry,

Speaking further, Senator Jubrin Echocho, who couldn’t stop pouring encomiums on Compt Olomu for his proficiency and impressive performance in handling statutory responsibilities, stressed the importance of revenue collection for national development.

According to him, revenue collection for the Federal Government is quite imperative in Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, for infrastructure development, in strengthening the country’s global standing and even as it helps to reduce debt over-hang.

On his part, Compt Olomu who gave the Committee a brief overview of activities at Apapa Customs Command, informed that the revenue generated is over N1.8trillion, which surpassed N1.1 trillion collected the same period in 2023.

Babatunde Olomu boldly said that the trade facilitation mechanisms of Apapa Command, as well as regular stakeholders’ interactions significantly improved compliance with Customs regulations.  Adding; ‘’We have already surpassed 2023 total revenue collection, though we still have three months ahead to go in 2024 fiscal year.”

He pointed out : “As we focus on lawful areas for revenue collection and national economic development, we are vigilant in checking possibilities of smuggling prohibited items using unorthodox means like concealment, false declaration, under-valuation and under-declaration.
For instance, we made recent seizures of over 36 illegal items, such as tramadol; cough syrup with codeine; unregistered pharmaceutical products, among others.

On operational challenges facing the Command at present, he responded :
“Insufficient modern scanning machines delay shipment processing and affect data accuracy impacting on our ability to monitor compliance effectively”.

Speaking further; he sought legislative support for advanced scanners and technological expansions to enhance operational efficiency at all times.