Customs generates N203.3 billion in Apapa

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Apapa Area Command, has racked in revenue of N203.26 billion for the half-year (H1) period January 1 to June 30, 2019, which represents 54.5 per cent of its annual revenue target of N372.56 billion in the year.
 
Controller of the Command, Comptroller Mohammed Abba-Kura, who disclosed this in Lagos, Tuesday, said the Command also recorded a high level of compliance in export trade within the period, which saw it generate approximately $46.6 million (N14.3 billion) FOB from a total of 95,229.15 metric tonnes of exported goods.
  
Abba-Kura said the feat was made possible by the Command’s “strict adherence to professionalism through sensitisation of officers as to their responsibilities, and working in line with the standard operational procedures for optimal revenue collection.”
  
The Command also seized 29 containers of various items that contravened trade procedures, with a cumulative Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N418.4 million. These included tomato paste, vegetable oil, tramadol, ladies and girls’ fashion foot wears, armoured glasses without End-User Certificate, as well as drilling pipes labelled in foreign language.
  
Meanwhile, Abba-Kura has assured importers and exporters that all legitimate and compliant trade that satisfy the necessary procedures concerning the transactions will get accelerated clearance from the command.
  
He promised to continue with capacity building programmes for both officers and stakeholders operating within the Command, to acquaint them with modern trends, government fiscal policies, and NICIS 11 operative system, among others.
 
The Controller also assured of accelerated clearance to all legitimate, and compliant trade that have satisfied the necessary procedures concerning the transaction from the port.While appreciating compliant officers, he reiterated the resolve of the Command to continue to build on the level of professionalism, dedication and sacrifice, which contributed the large success recorded in the last six months of 2019.