Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Apapa Area Command said that it generated over N264.5 billion as revenue in the first quarter of 2022.
The Customs Area Controller of the command, Compt. Malanta Yususf noted that the amount collected represented a 65.7 per cent increase when compared to N159 billion collected in the same period under review in 2021.
Also, Yusuf said that the 46 seizures made within the period under review had duty paid value of over 1 billion.
He noted: “This amount collected(N264,536,201,293.71) shows a significant increase of N104 billion as against 159 billion naira collected in the corresponding months of the year 2021, representing 65.7per cent increase in revenue collection.”
The CAC attributed the increase in revenue to the improved service through the IT platforms, which he said helped to plugg revenue leakages, and sustaining the level of compliance by the importers and other stakeholders in the cargo clearance value chain.
Yusuf said, the Command recorded exportation of agricultural goods, mineral resources, steel and more.
He noted that for the first quarter of the year 2022, the command recorded exports to the tune of over N34 billion, and additional cargoes with Free =-on-Board value of over $87 million, a significant increase, compared to what it did in 2021.
He explained: “The export report indicates that goods worth thirty-four billion, seventy two million, eight hundred and sixty-nine thousand, seven hundred and ninety-nine naira (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.
“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 forty-six (46) seizures of various items with a duty paid value of one billion, one hundred and forty-two million, eight hundred and seventy six thousand, six hundred- and six-naira (N1,142,876,606.00) as against twenty-eight (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, and footwear, foreign parboiled rice and other sundry items that fall under prohibition list.”
He added that the items contravenes sections 46 and 47 of Customs and Excise Management Act, CEMA CAP C45 LFN 2004.
