The Apapa area command of the Nigeria Customs Service said it collected a total of N176.7 billion as revenue generated into the Federal Government’s coffers from January to June 2018.
This was contained in a press statement issued by the command’s Public Relation Officer, Deputy Superintendent of Customs, Nkiru Nwala in Lagos last weekend.
The command is expected to generate N213 billion in the first half of the year going by its monthly target of N35. 5billion. While it recorded a shortfall of N37 billion in the expected revenue generation, the amount recorded however showed an increase of N11billion when compared to the revenue figure of N165 billion recorded within the same period of 2017.
Nwala said the command had overcome the teething problems associated with the new NICIS II automated platform and has fully implemented the scheme which according to her as helped maximized the command’s revenue profile while blocking leakages in the system.
Controller of the command, Comptroller Jibril Musa was quoted as saying that he will continue to reinvigorate all strategies and mechanisms put in place for the effective and efficient implementation of the Federal Government’s Executive order on the Ease of Doing Business.
“It is worthy of note to mention that the NCS is the lead agency in the implementation of the presidential mandate and Apapa area command selected as the pilot command had since created the Central Examination Centre (CEC) where all stakeholders involved in cargo clearance conduct examination at an agreed time with reports imputed almost immediately.
“This synergy/interfacing had paid off remarkably as consignments with no record of infractions are released within 24 hours while those with infractions are referred to dispute resolutions committee for further interventions,” he said.
The command in its anti- smuggling drive said it recorded four seizures of 4/40 feet containers of controlled drugs including tramadol in excess of approved milligrams with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N110million, while it recorded a total of 280,000 metric tons of various exports with a total FOB value of $115,093,562 US dollars in the same period.
On inter agencies relationship, the command boss pledged his resolve to keep strengthening the already robust working relationship and collaboration among all agencies of government to enhance and facilitate international trade.
The CAC also advised importers to make honest declarations in order to achieve timely clearance and release of their cargoes.
“We appeal to all stakeholders and the general public at large to cooperate with the NCS by always ensuring total compliance which at the long run will improve our ratings in the global trade indices for a seamless and speedy cargo clearance,” the statement concluded.
