Apapa Customs’ revenue hits record high of N136.3bn in 5-months

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Apapa Area 1 command said it has collected a total sum of N136.3 billion in the first five months of the year, January to May, amid the current economic recession and low level of business at the ports.

Jibrin Muhammed, Customs Area Controller of command, who disclosed this while briefing newsmen in Lagos last Wednesday, said that the command’s revenue witnessed a significant increase of 38.8 percent compared to N98.2 billion collected the same period in 2016.

According to him, the command also surpassed it revenue targets for the month of May due to the proactive measures put in place by the management team of command as well as the diligence and commitment put in by the officers in the command.

The CAC said that over N1.8 billion was recovered by the command from infractions identified and treated within the period under review.

“The command will continue to intensify efforts at blocking all the revenue leakages in order to sustain and build on the present result. On assumption of office, we made it clear that value addition must be a propelling force for our management team. This implies that we must all be committed to adding value that will move the command to a greater height,” he said.

On export, Muhammed said that export trade is one major area that the command is paying more attention now as it’s more than ready to facilitate export trade considering the nation’s economic state and the Federal Government’s effort at diversifying the economy through the encouragement of export of agricultural produce.

“This will go a long way to improve our economic growth and development. Therefore, we assure exporters of maximum cooperation and optimal trade facilitation as exporters improve their compliance to the stipulated regulations and documentation procedure,” he assured.

Uzoamaka Anagor-Ewuzie