The Apapa Port Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has achieved an impressive revenue milestone of ₦2.01 trillion as of November 19, 2024. Comptroller Babatunde Olomu, the Customs Area Controller (CAC) of the command, announced this achievement during a parade held on November 20, expressing confidence in meeting the ₦2.2 trillion annual revenue target by the end of the month, ahead of the December deadline.
Comptroller Olomu attributed the command’s performance to the leadership and inspiration of the Comptroller General of Customs (CGC), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, who recently announced a nationwide collection of ₦5.07 trillion during the CGC Conference in Abuja. Olomu highlighted the pivotal role of the Apapa Port Command, noting that it contributed 40% of the NCS’s total revenue, emphasizing its critical importance to the service’s overall success.
He encouraged officers to emulate CGC Adeniyi’s exemplary standards in revenue generation, trade facilitation, enforcement, and stakeholder engagement. The CAC stressed the importance of sustaining the command’s positive revenue and enforcement track record, urging officers to ensure that smugglers caught with contraband goods are prosecuted to strengthen the fight against smuggling.
During the parade, Comptroller Olomu shared key updates from the CGC Conference, themed “Engaging Traditional and New Partners with Purpose,” which aligns with the World Customs Organization’s vision of fostering partnerships to achieve customs goals. Outcomes from the conference included:
– Sustaining diligent examination of import and export cargo, including 100% physical inspection where necessary.
– Granting enforcement officers access to the Nigeria Integrated Customs Information System (NICIS) for improved efficiency.
– Avoiding indiscriminate intervention alerts to ensure unity and coherence across the service.
He also highlighted new policies, such as banning commercial activities like Point of Sales (PoS) operations within customs premises and prohibiting officers from doubling as licensed clearing agents to prevent conflicts of interest. Additional resolutions included mandatory medical checks for officers, instituting rewards for outstanding performance, and expanding the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) and Advance Ruling (AR) schemes.
In recognition of the command’s exceptional achievements, Comptroller Olomu announced plans for an award night to honor deserving officers and stakeholders. Notable awards included:
– The Compliance Unit for recovering over ₦2 billion in three months.
– The Revenue Recovery Unit for preventing revenue losses of ₦3 billion within the same period.
– Assistant Comptroller M. Samad for his diligence in detecting undervaluation.
– Inspector of Customs Adamu Bashir as the best-dressed and most punctual officer.
The CAC also distributed plaques to various units and individuals for their contributions to the command’s success in 2024.
Comptroller Olomu reiterated the command’s commitment to excellence and collaboration, ensuring the Apapa Port Command remains a cornerstone of Nigeria’s customs operations.