2022 Revenue : Apapa Customs generates 1trn, Seizes 14.4 worth of Contrabands, Arrests 60 Suspects
The Apapa Area 1 Command of Nigeria Customd Service, with all setbacks in trade facilitation of the year 2021 has collected revenue to the tune of One trillion, twenty-two billion, five hundred and thirty million, five hundred and twenty-three thousand, six hundred and ninety- nine naira, four kobo (N1,022,530,523,699.4) as revenue for the year 2022.
This is 16.07% higher than the Eight hundred and seventy billion, three hundred and eighty-eight million, three hundred and forty thousand, six hundred and fifty naira, sixty-five kobo (N870,388,340,650.65) collected in 2021.
The Controller of the Command, Comptroller Malanta Ibrahim Yusuf said this during the end of the Year 2022 press briefing in Apapa, Lagos.
"It will be recall that from the second quarter of last year, the industry has experienced a backdrop in trade facilitation by fluctuation in exchange rate and a sharp drop in the purchasing power by the consumers which made trade unpredictable
"This feat was made possible because of our officers and men resilience in blocking revenue leakages and ensuring that all unpaid declarations and unutilised PAARS has been traced and accounted to the federal government coffers"Malanta said.
On trade facilitation, Comptroller Malanta said "The central concern of this administration is to deploy technology to automate our processes and procedures to maintain a feat between trade facilitation, revenue generation and security of the nation
"As a lead agency in trade facilitation, we are constantly informed in reinventing our strategy and share our vision with other agencies in the port, through connectivity and joint one-stop boarding of vessels and examination of cargo.
He said "The Command has intensified its anti-smuggling operations through leveraging on as technological infrastructure to ensure that illicit trade which pose threat to the national security and wellbeing of the society are being detected and controlled from finding their way to our society.
"The Command has strived to move beyond its potentials to ensure synergy and collatoration with other stakeholders in the port to address the menace of it importation.
Comptroller Malanta disclosed that a total number of One hundred and fifty-seven (157) containers with a duty paid value (DPV) of N14.4 billion were seized
as against one hundred and two (102) containers with DPV of N31.8 billion seized in the year 2021.
"Our record shows that fake and prohibited drugs without necessary NAFDAC certification and overdose drugs of Tramadol top the list of seizures made last year. Other items include codesse syrup, foreign parboiled rice, vegetable of processed/unprocessed wood, used clothing, etc.
"So far, a total number of 60 suspects were arrested in connection with"
He added that "On export trade, in line with the Federal Government diversification of the economy in non-oil export, the command recorded a total of $6.5 million free onboard (FOB) value on a naira equivalent of N28.2 bilen of non- oil commodities with a total tonnage of 64 million Metric tonnes exported through Apapa port.
"Items exported through Apapa Port last year 2022 include steel bars, agricultural produce such hibiscus, sesame seeds, cocoa, cashew nut, ginger, soya beans, and mineral products.
He said that the command has promoted a culture of regular stakeholder engagement with bonded terminal operators, importers,, exporters, freight forwarders, Icensed customs agents, shipping companies, and others.
