The Lilypond Export command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) said it processed non-oil exports with a total tonnage of 118,184.96 within the first quarter of 2023.
The export goods valued at N86.426 billion is equivalent to Free-on-Board value (FOB) of $204.656 million.
The export command which was created in November 2022 in collaboration with the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) is geared towards fast tracking export businesses accessing the Lagos ports by road, rail and barges.
Controller of the Command, Comptroller Babandede Mohammed, while presenting the scorecard of the command at a press briefing in Lagos on Wednesday listed items processed at the terminal within the review period to include Cocoa Beans, Cashew Nuts, Sesame seeds, Hibiscus flower, Soya beans and Ginger.
Other items exported are mineral resources such as Lithium Ore, Manganese Ore, and Zircon Sand among others adding that manufactured goods exported are Instant noodles, cosmetics, cigarettes and beverages.
He said despite being a new command, the export terminal has drastically reduced delay in export processing and made the business of export effective and efficient as all agencies are domiciled in one place.
Speaking on other achievements recorded by the command, he said, “It has reduced congestion along the access roads to the port and also inside the port terminals, giving space for Import containers, it has reduced cost of export business, it has reduced the issue of contract cancellation. The issue of pilfering of cargo has been eliminated and released containers can access the port within 48 hours for loading onto awaiting vessels.”
The Customs boss said the command in collaboration with shipping lines have reduced the turnaround time of a vessel, which decreases the cost of shipping, adding that the command has completely erased the issue of rejection and return of the nation’s Agro-produce, which is usually caused by delay and lack of requisite phytosanitary certificates.
Comptroller Babandede while commending the collaboration of other sister agencies, expressed appreciation to the NPA for introducing the concept of Export Processing Terminals and providing all necessary support to the command to deliver on his mandate.
“The Nigeria Customs Service in collaboration with the Nigerian Ports Authority approved the establishment of Export Processing Terminals (EPTs) with the mandate to undertake stuffing, examination, and document processing for non-oil export cargo accessing the Lagos Ports by road, rail and barges.
“This establishment is geared towards fast-tracking export businesses for quick turnover, to ensure proper documentation and repatriation of export proceeds back to the country and to decongest the ports and all the roads leading to the ports.
“I also want to commend the patriotic role of our sister agencies who have always partnered with us in our quest to effectively perform our statutory functions in compliance with extant laws,” he said.
Comptroller Babandede expressed appreciation to the Comptroller General and the Customs management for their continuous support just as he commended officers and men of the command for their contributions to the success so far achieved.
He, however, appealed to the officers to double their efforts in order to achieve greater heights in the coming months.
