The Apapa Area command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on Thursday said it processed export goods worth N34billion with Free On Board (FOB) Value of $87.9 million through the Apapa port in the first quarter of 2022.
This is just as the command said it generated revenue of N264.5billion within the review period.
Controller of the command, Comptroller Yusuf Malanta who disclosed this at a media briefing in Lagos said the amount generated represents 65.7 percent increase when compared to N159billion collected in the first quarter of the year.
He said: “The command has collected revenue to the tune of N264,536,201,293.71. This shows a significant increase of N104 billion as against N159 billion naira collected in the corresponding months of the year 2021, representing 65.7% increase in revenue collection.”
Controller Malanta attributed the increase in revenue to the improved service IT platform, which he said helped block revenue leakages, and sustaining the level of compliance by the importers and stakeholders in the cargo clearance value chain.
On exports handled, Comptroller Yusuf said the Command recorded exportation of agricultural goods, mineral resources and steel among others.
“Statistics from the export report indicates that goods worth N34,072,869,799.00 with Free On Board (FOB) value of $87.992,356.10 million US dollars were exported as against N30.2 billion, which is equivalent to FOB value of $82.1 million US dollars between the months of Jan-Mar 2021.”
On anti-smuggling operations, Malanta said that the command record 46 seizures of various items with a Duty Paid Value of N1.1billion.
He said: “The enforcement unit has been strengthened through strict monitoring, enhanced collaboration and sharing of credible intelligence with relevant government agencies to suppress smuggling activities to its barest minimum.
“The command recorded 46 seizures of various items with a duty paid value of N1,142,876,606.00 as against 28 seizures made in the corresponding months of the year 2021.”
The seized items include unregistered medicaments such as tramadol and codeine syrup, unprocessed wood, used clothing, footwear, foreign parboiled rice and other sundry items that fall under prohibition list.
He explained that the items contravene sections 46 and 47 of Customs and Excise Management Act, CEMA CAP C45 LFN 2004.
“Let me reiterate that Apapa command is always ready to assist in facilitating legitimate trade and ensuring that all forms of smuggling activities through false declaration on import /export done in defiance to extant trade guidelines will be detected through our layers of control mechanism,” he said.
