Joyce Mmereole Okoli
The Apapa Port Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has set a new benchmark in revenue collection, amassing N1.2 trillion between January and July 2024. In a groundbreaking achievement, the Command recorded its highest-ever monthly revenue in July, collecting N201.9 billion.
Comptroller Babatunde Olomu, the Customs Area Controller (CAC) of the Command, announced these figures In a press statement issued on Wednesday.
He emphasized his commitment to breaking existing revenue records, attributing the impressive collection to strategic implementations aimed at facilitating trade efficiently.
“The revenue collected for the first seven months of 2024 exceeds the total revenue collected over the entire twelve months of 2023,” Olomu stated. Last year’s total was N1.17 trillion, highlighting the substantial increase achieved this year.
Olomu credited the success to the effective execution of the Comptroller General of Customs’ thrust on time release studies, which streamlined trade processes and minimized delays.
He also acknowledged the significant contributions of the Tariff and Trade Department and other units such as the compliance desk, dispute resolution team, and valuation unit.
“With daily, weekly, and monthly evaluations, we ensure continuous progress. We are committed to surpassing these records in the coming months,” Olomu added.
He assured stakeholders of the Command’s availability and readiness to support legitimate trade, particularly during the recent nationwide protests. This proactive stance has bolstered port users’ confidence in the Apapa Command’s capabilities.
Comptroller Olomu urged port users to engage in legitimate trade practices, reinforcing the Command’s vigilance in detecting concealments and minimizing revenue leakages.