Apapa Customs on track to meet N2.3trn revenue target as interventions curb leakages – Comptroller Olomu

Newly appointed Controller, Apapa Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service ( NCS) Comptroller Babatunde Olomu has expressed confidence in the command’s capacity and ability to meet its N2.3trillion revenue target for 2024.

Comptroller Olomu attributed this optimism to the command’s renewed commitment to trade facilitation and strategic interventions to curb revenue leakages.

He said the Command under his leadership has implemented various initiatives to build upon the successes of his predecessor, with the goal of enhancing revenue collection and efficiency, thereby solidifying the command’s position as a flagship unit of the NCS.

To achieve the target, the command, it was gathered has set monthly, weekly and daily target of N193billion, N44billion and N8.9billion respectively.

According to the command’s revenue performance issued by its Public Relations Officer, Abubakar Usman, in the first quarter of 2024, the command surpassed its target with a collection of N489billion, while in the month of April, it generated N182 billion, and in May, the sum of N175 billion was collected.

Speaking on the command’s revenue performance, a source at the command’s revenue unit informed that despite the slight drop in the command’s revenue collection in May, the command aims to generate N200 billion in June.

He said, “We are seriously working towards this target and we are confident of achieving it due to the diligence and dedication of our revenue officers who are constantly being kept on their toes by the CAC and the headquarters. That is why every declaration is being monitored at the headquarters.”

The source, a senior customs officer, said the Command has successfully plugged revenue loopholes, and made interventions, which has resulted in increased revenue generation.

While facilitating trade for compliant traders, he said the command uses scanning and physical examinations to detect duty evasion attempts.

“We know that tne average Nigerian trader will always want to evade duty payment.
“So we do a lot of scanning and physical examinations without necessarily compromising trade facilitation.B

“Because of our diligence and thoroughness in checking declarations and consignments through the use of non-intrusive technology( scanning) and physical examinations, non-compliant traders are not comfortable.

“As a result, some of them resort to blackmail and all sorts of antics to compromise and dampen the morale of our revenue officers without success” the source said.

He said while the Command has raised a lot of queries on suspicious consignments, compliant traders have no reason to fear, as the command pioritises not just revenue generation but trade facilitation.

It was gathered that in a bid to expedite cargo delivery, decongest the port terminals as well as reduce gridlock on the port access road, Comptroller Olomu has introduced an initiative to promote the use of barges for cargo evacuation.

According to sources, Olomu has commenced engagement with barge operators and terminal operators to enhance barge usage while also collaborating with other Lagos port commands to key into the initiative.

The command also addressed concerns over cargo alerts and scanning, explaining that alerts are issued to flag potential duty evasion or underpayment.

Regarding scanning, the command clarified that the system randomly selects containers for scanning, making it impossible for officers to influence the process.

The command emphasized that non-intrusive inspection (scanning) is a globally recognized technology aimed at preventing duty evasion, a common practice among some Nigerian traders.