Apapa Customs rakes in N39.877bn

Chinazor Megbolu

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Apapa Area Command, has raked in N39.877 billion in the month of April.

The Deputy Superintendent of Customs and Public Relations Officer of the command, Mrs Nkeiruka Nwala, disclosed this on Wednesday in Lagos through the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

She explained the record indicated an increase of over N2.5 billion when compared with that of 2019 with N37.391 billion.

Nwala noted that the command raked in N38.489 billion in the month of March, 2020 as against N39.877 billion collected in April, 2020 indicating an increase of over N1.388 billion.

According to her; “recall that the command in the first quarter of this year generated N110.204 billion even with lots of challenges globally and Nigeria is not isolated from these challenges as critical sectors of the economy are adversely affected.

“However, the Nigeria Customs Service, and in particular, the Apapa Area Command remains resolute at ensuring that we collect the much needed revenue for the Federal Government and also ensure the safety and well-being of the citizenry.

“This is through curtailing smuggling to its barest minimum while facilitating legitimate import and export trades”.

She further maintained that the increase in revenue collection was necessitated by many factors that have to do with strict application of import guidelines, increased level of compliance by stakeholders and genuineness to address all complaints from importers promptly.

Nwala, however, pointed out that in line with the Presidential directive, the Apapa Port remained open and customs officers were on ground discharging their functions of collecting revenue and securing the nation’s seaports against influx of prohibited goods.

Additionally, she called on importers to use the opportunity of the Presidential directive to evacuate their consignments before resumption of normal business activities.

Moreover, Nwala said the command is geared towards provision of satisfactory services to its esteemed stakeholders with utmost diligence even as she urged other stakeholders in the clearance chain to play their respective roles towards moving the nation forward.