Apapa Command of NCS increases revenue by N53.3bn in 2018

Temitope Adebayo

The Apapa Area 1 Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has increased revenue generated in 2018 by N53.3 billion to N404 billion, compared to N350.9 billion it generated in 2017. The Customs Area Controller of the command, Comptroller Bashir Abubakar, made this known while briefing newsmen in Lagos on Thursday. According to him, the amount realised was 95 per cent of the 2018 revenue target of N426.1 billion. “This also shows that the command collected N53billion above the revenue generated in 2017,’’ the controller said. Abubakar attributed the success to the selfless stance of the officers and men, as well as the support and back-up by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Retired Col. Hameed Ali and his management team. He said that the other strategies the command adopted which led to the success included the instance seamless operation of the import and export businesses by his administration. Abubakar also explained that he introduced a 24-hour dispute resolution team and on-spot examination by all units and agencies. “The strategies included an advanced system and monitoring, collaboration between internal and external units of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and other government agencies,’’ the controller said. He said that these strategies had helped to block most revenue leakages and enhanced trade facilitation and security. “Seventy-two containers of various general goods such as used spare parts used tyres and other sundry goods valued at N9.626 billion in 2018 were intercepted. “In the year under review, the command also seized and condemned 41 x 40ft containers of controlled pharmaceutical drugs, including tramadol, in excess of the allowable milligrammes with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N8.81 billion. “Furthermore, the command also intercepted and seized an export-bound used helicopter with registration number 5BN valued at N210.6 million, in addition to another port-bound Aircraft `Cessna 182A’ in CKD with serial no. 3400, valued at N486.9 million. “These items were seized in accordance with the provisions of the extant laws and guidelines. “All these items were seized owning to various infractions such as a false declaration, concealment and complete disregard of import and export guidelines’,’ Abubakar said. He said that the command recorded a high level of compliance on export declarations, while 2,500 containers were blocked for non-compliance