The Apapa Port Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has achieved a significant milestone, collecting a total revenue of N2.01 trillion as of November 19, 2024. This was disclosed by Comptroller Babatunde Olomu, Customs Area Controller of the command, during a parade held on November 20, 2024. Comptroller Olomu expressed optimism that the command would exceed its annual target of N2.2 trillion by the end of November, well ahead of the December deadline.
Olomu attributed the command’s remarkable performance to the leadership and inspiration of Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, who had earlier announced the NCS’s total revenue collection of N5.07 trillion at the recently concluded CGC Conference in Abuja. He emphasized the critical role played by the Apapa Port Command, which contributed 40 percent of the service’s overall revenue. This, he said, underscores the high expectations and responsibility placed on the command.
Addressing officers and men of the command, Olomu urged them to emulate the exceptional standards set by CGC Adeniyi in revenue collection, trade facilitation, and enforcement. He encouraged officers to focus on sustaining their excellent revenue and enforcement records, particularly by ensuring that seizures from smugglers are accompanied by the arrest of suspects for prosecution. He noted that apprehending smugglers alongside their illicit goods would significantly enhance the fight against smuggling.
During the parade, Comptroller Olomu also shared updates from the 2024 CGC Conference, which had the theme, “Engaging Traditional and New Partners With Purpose.” The theme, he explained, aligns with the World Customs Organization’s agenda of leveraging partnerships to achieve customs objectives. He highlighted several key resolutions from the conference, including the need to sustain diligent import and export cargo examinations, even with 100 percent physical inspections when necessary. Enforcement officers would now have access to the Nigeria Integrated Customs Information System (NICIS) platform to improve efficiency. Additionally, the practice of issuing indiscriminate intervention alerts was discouraged to ensure unity within the service.
Olomu announced the prohibition of certain commercial activities within customs premises, such as the operation of Point of Sales (PoS) services and the involvement of customs officers in clearing jobs, which conflicts with their official responsibilities. The conference also emphasized routine medical checks for officers and the importance of rewarding outstanding officers for their productivity. Plans were unveiled for initiatives like the automation of transire processes by the first quarter of 2025 and the expansion of the Authorised Economic Operator and Advance Ruling scheme.
As part of efforts to recognize and reward excellence, the Apapa Command is planning an award night to honor deserving officers and stakeholders who contributed to the command’s success in 2024. At the parade, awards were presented to several units and individuals for their outstanding contributions. The Compliance Unit was commended for recovering over N2 billion in three months, while the Revenue Recovery Unit was recognized for preventing the loss of N3 billion during the same period. Assistant Comptroller M. Samad received an award for his diligence in detecting under-valuation cases, and Inspector Adamu Bashir was named the best-dressed and most punctual officer.
Comptroller Olomu concluded by reiterating the importance of professionalism, teamwork, and alignment with the service’s vision for revenue growth and trade facilitation. He encouraged officers to remain committed to their duties and uphold the high standards expected of them in service to the nation.
Copyright Ships & Ports Ltd. Permission to use quotations from this article is granted subject to appropriate credit given to www.shipsandports.com.ng as the source.