The Nigeria Customs Service, Apapa Command, Lagos, has disclosed that it collected a sum of Five hundred and Eighteen billion, Forty-six million, Eight hundred and thirty-two thousand, Sixteen Naira and Eighty-four kobo (N518,046,832,016.84) into the federation and non-federation accounts of the Federal Government in 2020.
Export activities in the command in the year witnessed a boost as tomes of export cargo handled rose from two hundred and sixty-two thousand and ninety-five metric tons (262,095) in 2019 to one million, three hundred and eleven thousand, three hundred and sixty-five metric tons (1,311,365) in 2020. The Free on Board (FOB) value for the exported items equally moved up from $132,760,512.94 million US dollars to $340,884,102.99 million within the period under review.
The Customs Area Controller of the command, Comptroller Mohammed Abba-Kura stated this in a press statement released by the command.
“In contrast, this (N518,046,832,016.84) clearly shows that the revenue profile of the Command has significantly increased by Ninety-four billion, Three hundred and seventy-nine thousand, Eight hundred and thirty-five thousand, Three hundred and fifty-two naira and Fifty-three kobo (N94,379,835,352.53) from the N423.6 billion that was collected in the year 2019. This indicates an increased collection of 22.3%,” said Comptroller Mohammed Abba-Kura.
Abba-Kura noted that the command recorded a total of three hundred and eighteen (318) seizures with Duty Paid Value of Twenty-one billion, One hundred and ninety-six million, Eight hundred and six thousand, Six hundred and thirty seven naira (N21,196,806,637.00). Items exported include steel bars, agricultural and mineral products among others.
Items seized, according to him, were 133 containers of unregistered pharmaceuticals including tramadol, 58 containers of parboiled rice, 30 containers of vegetable oil, 31 containers of used clothes and shoes and 13 containers of used tyres, and other sundry items. He noted that this figure almost tripled the total seizures for the year 2019 which stood at 112 with the total Duty Paid value of N12.5 billion.
“In line with the provision of extant circulars; trade guidelines and enforcement of government fiscal policy measures, the Command was able to further strengthen its anti-smuggling operations against economic saboteurs, through credible intelligence-driven operations and continuous partnership with other relevant agencies for effective port management to stem their illegitimate activities,” said he.
Attributing these achievements to the doggedness and tireless commitment to officers to duties, despite the COVID-19 pandemic ravaging economies all over the world, Comptroller Abba-Kura said the command has taken bold initiatives by creating an enabling environment for legitimate businesses to thrive to ensure the collection of appropriate revenue for the government in 2021.
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