Customs harps on compliance by port users to fast-track exports

With recent moves by the Federal Government to diversify the economy through the encouragement of agricultural produce exportation, the Apapa Area Command, Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), has called for improved compliance level and optimum trade facilitation by exporters to avoid ingenuity in the regulations and documentation procedures.

The Customs Area Controller (CAC), Muhammed Jibrin, who said this during a chat with newsmen, sought the cooperation of prospective exporters to make use of the command for their export activities.

He explained that the call for greater compliance became necessary following the recent seizure of some containers that fall under the export prohibition list and under the extant laws. The seized items he mentioned include, scrap metals, wet blue (leather) and unprocessed woods.

He said: “I am using this medium to call on all prospective exporters of made in Nigeria products and other raw materials to come to Apapa Command for their export activities. Any efforts coming from within our country will go a long way to improve our economic growth and development. I therefore assure you of maximum cooperation and optimum trade facilitation as you improve your compliance level to the stipulated regulations and documentation procedures.”

On revenue generation, the customs boss said the command within the period of January and May, generated the sum of N136.3billion into government coffers. The amount, he said represented an increase of 38.78 per cent when compared to the revenue generated in the corresponding period of 2016.

Jibrin, who described the figure as unprecedented, noted that the proactive measures put in place by the officers also aided the efforts of the command to surpass her revenue target for May 2017.

Intensifying its efforts at blocking revenue leakages, the command within the period under review also recovered the sum of N1.8billion from infractions while a total of 24 detentions were effected for various offences. The seized items included frozen fish, medicaments, and export containers among other general merchandise.

The comptroller added that, “I wish to reiterate our resolve to do our best to maintain our lead in revenue generation irrespective of the prevailing harsh economic conditions which is evidenced by the low cargo throughput as well drop in oil revenue. We are however committed to ensuring trade regulations and enforcement of government fiscal policies while issues of national security also remain cardinal in our day-to-day operations.”