Amidst global pandemic (COVID-19) ravaging the world with daunting effect on the global economy, the Apapa Area Command of Nigeria Customs Service has maintained its tempo at ensuring that maximum revenue is collected in addition to trade facilitation and suppression of smuggling.
REVENUE
Based on consolidation of the previous achievements, the Command recorded a steady improvement in revenue collection all through the half year except for the month of May which recorded a decline of about 3.531 billion when compared between year 2019 and 2020. The Command in half year of 2019 collected a total sum of 203.264 billion naira as Customs Duty and other charges like 7 percent sur charge, VAT, 1 percent CISS among others. While in 2020 (January to June) the Command collected a huge sum of two hundred and twenty-seven billion, three hundred and forty-seven million, forty-six thousand, two hundred and thirty-three naira and fifty-three kobo (#227,347,046,233.53). This represent an increase of twenty-four billion, eighty-two million, nine hundred and ninety-one thousand, five hundred and fifty naira and eighty-four kobo (#24,082,991,550.84) or 10.59% increase from the previous year.
ANTI-SMUGGLING
The Command’s effort to suppress smuggling as enshrined in Customs and Excise Management Act, sections 46 & 48 which deals with offences in relation to import and export, Apapa Command seized a total of one hundred and forty-two (142) containers of various items.
The seized items includes two (2) assorted vehicles (1 Rolls Royce 2018 and 1 Lamborghini Hurracane Sport Car 2019 model) with a Duty Paid Valued of 324.530 million naira. Other items include: Pharmaceuticals, Rice
Used Clothing & Shoes,
Vegetable oil, VehiclesPackaging materials, Detergent,
Candy Milk,
Used Tyres, Cigarette Filter, Rugs and Textile. The total DPV of all the 142 seizures stood at fifteen billion, nine hundred and four million, nine hundred and fifty-four thousand, two hundred and twenty naira only.
While briefing journalists, The Customs Area Controller, Mohammed Abba-Kura, reiterated the need for stakeholders (Importers, Exporters and their Agents) to always follow and observe the laid down import and export guidelines and procedures. He stressed the imperative of sincere declarations in order to avoid seizure of their consignments by Customs Operatives. In his words “Until you adhere strictly to these guidelines and procedures, we shall not relent in enforcing our laws as empowered by CEMA CAP C45, LFN 2004 as amended”.
EXPORT
The Apapa Command, which prides itself as an export friendly Command recorded an increase in export trade, goods worth fifty-two billion, three hundred and sixty-nine million, five hundred and six thousand, seven hundred and seventy naira and ninety kobo (#52,369,506,770.90) (Free On Board Value) have been exported from Nigeria. These exported goods include: Agricultural products, Mineral resources and Steel Bars amongst others. The total tonnage of these goods stood at 1.642 million tones with FOB value in American Dollar of ($ 171,142,178.99).
The CAC finally seized the opportunity to appreciate the support extended to him by esteemed stakeholders (Media inclusive), respective NCS Units such as Customs Intelligence Unit (CIU), Valuation, Post Clearance Audit (PCA) as well as the support and encouragement of the management of the Service ably led by the Comptroller-General of Customs Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali (Rtd).
