Customs rakes-in N35 billion in Apapa

Seizes 16 containers for false declaration

The Apapa Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has sets new monthly revenue record of N34.923 billion in the month of August 2016.

The figure, according to a statement signed by the Customs Public Relations Officer, Apapa Command, Emmanuel Ekpa, is about N8 billion higher than the N27 billion collected in July.

Ekpa said the collection record is the highest monthly-generated revenue made by any customs command in the country in the last 10 years.

Meanwhile, the Command also made a seizure of 16 containers for false declaration. It noted that investigations are ongoing over the seized containers, and arrests have been made in preparation for prosecution

This remarkable feat is coming at a time when the ports are said to be having low volume of trade and shipping companies reported to be leaving the country in the face of some trade restrictions and high exchange rate regime.

Customs Area Controller of the Command, Willy Egbudin, however enjoined officers of the Command to continually work to redouble their efforts in maximum revenue collection, speed in legitimate trade facilitation and uncompromising enforcement of all customs laws.

Egbudin had at a recent meeting with top officers of the Command emphasised that national security must not be compromised at the port and terminals under it in the course of trade facilitation and revenue collection.

The Customs boss attributed the recent increase to increased supervision, closer monitoring and regular outreach to importers and agents on the need to comply, while issuing demand notices for infractions like under-declaration when detected.

He said: ‘’The Comptroller General’s directives are very clear on matters affecting our duties. We must not in anyway act outside the law or encourage people to do so. Importers and agents who violate the law will face the full wrath of it and I can assure you all that I will not spare any Customs Officer collaborator. Any attempt to shortchange the government under my watch here will not be treated with kid gloves,”