Apapa Customs generates N60.2bn revenue in 2 months as newly promoted Bashir bows out

By ZION Olalekan

Apapa Customs Command has generated about N60,109,247,444.1 between the month of January and February 2019 even as the Annual Revenue Target for 2019 Fiscal Year is yet to be officially conveyed to the Command.

However, the 2018 annual target was N426,192,827,819.46, which translates to a monthly target of N35,516,068,984.95.

Acting Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Abubakar disclosed this at the valedictory press briefing and handing over ceremony of the Apapa Area Command to Comptroller Mohammed Abba-Kura yesterday in Lagos.

He said the commendable collection was achieved even with the lull in business activities due to high expectations on the 2019 general elections.

Speaking further, he said in enforcing compliance, the Command between January 1 to March 14, 2014 seized 24 containers of tomato paste and vegetables oil with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N200,867,124.00 only.

He added that the export seat in the Command has also built an increased level of compliance in documentation, adding that within the period under review, the seat recorded export with FOB value of $2.5 million.

He said “To our esteemed stakeholders, I appeal for wilful compliance to all extant laws guiding the Import/Export process. Doing that will guarantee a seamless clearance process and timely release of cargo in line with the ease of doing business mandate of the Federal Government.

“At this juncture, let me introduce to you another controller who is also known for his professionalism and leadership prowess transferred to take over where I stopped. He is Comptroller Mohammed Abba-Kura who before now was the Comptroller in charge of Post Clearance Audit (PCA) zone A, Lagos.

” I urge you to give him all the support and collaboration he needs to keep the Apapa Area Command in her position as a lead and pilot Command known for excellence.”

Apapa Area Command being premier port in the country is having the highest collection in the Nigeria Customs Service.

He therefore urged the officers of the command to put in practice all its resolutions and build on the successes already achieved in the Command.