Apapa Customs Handles Export worth N73bn In 2018

ABIOLA Seun |

The Apapa Area Command of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on Thursday said it handled 1.20 million metric tonnes of export worth N73billion in 2018.

Speaking at a press briefing in Lagos yesterday, the Customs Area Controller (CAC) Bashir Abubakar also disclosed that the command generated a sum of N404billion as revenue from import in 2018.

According to the CAC, the command who achieved high compliance level among exporters also blocked 2500 containers for non-compliance to export procedures.

“The command in 2018 recorded 1.2million metric tonnes of exported goods with Free On Board (FOB) value of $240million which is equivalent to N73.1billion.

He continued, “The year under review also achieved high level of compliance on export declaration while about 2500 containers were blocked and forced to comply with requisite guidelines.”

However, on revenue collected on import, Compt. Abubakar, said the figure generated in 2018 represented 95% of the command revenue target for 2018 which stands at N426billion.

Abubakar further attributed the success of the revenue target to the selfless stance of officers and men of the command and also with the support and backup of the CGC, Col Hameed Ali and his management team.

He said that the other strategies the command adopted which lead to the success includes seamless operation of the import and export business by his administration.

Abubakar also explained that he introduced 24-hour dispute resolution team, one spot examination at all unit and agencies and strategies such as advanced system and monitoring, collaboration between internal and external units of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and other government agencies.

He said that the implementation of these strategies had helped to block most revenue leakages, enhanced trade facilitation and national security.

His words, “Seventy two containers of various general goods such as used spare parts, used tyres and other sundry goods valued at N9.6 billion were seized by the command in 2018.

In the area of anti-smuggling, Abubakar said, ” In the year under review, the command also seized and condemned 41 pieces of 40ft containers of controlled pharmaceutical drugs including tramadol in excess of the allowable milligrams with Duty Paid Value (DPV) N8.812billion.

“Furthermore, the command also intercepted and seized one export bound used helicopter with registration number 5BN valued at N210.6 million, in addition another import bound Aircraft “Cessna 182A” in CKD with serial no. 3400 valued at N486.9 million was also seized in accordance with the provision of the extant laws and guidelines.

“All these items were seized owning to various infractions such as false declaration, concealment and complete disregard to import and export guidelines,” Abubakar said.

He said that the command recorded high level of compliance on export declaration while 2500 containers were blocked for non-compliance.

“Showing that in 2018 the command collected N53.04billon above the 2017 revenue collection, indicating an increased collection of 13.13% over 2017 collection.”

He noted that the command achievement in 2018 earned the command the World Customs Organisation (WCO) award during the WCO day in January 2019.

He however sought further stakeholders cooperation to continuing to corporate with customs by adhering to the extant laws and guidelines on import and export for the collective good of the nation.

Highpoints of the event was the honour of awards to the Controller of the command and five officers of the units.

The officers awarded by the World Customs Organisation (WCO), in line with the International Customs Day Celebration, include: Assistant Controller Bello Ale Ahmed (T/M CIU), Assistant Controller Faith M. Ojeifor (FTZ) and Assistant Superintendent of Customs 1 B.Zarama Adamu (CPU Manifest)

Others are CSC Usman Illiyasu (Staff Officer, Sifax Terminal) and Superintendent of Customs, Peter Odangla (Staff Officer, CIU).