Highest Daily Collection in the Command’s History
The Apapa Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) revealed yesterday that it generated an impressive N16.02 billion on February 23, 2024. Usman Abubakar, the Command’s Public Relations Officer, stated that this figure represents the highest daily revenue collection ever recorded in the command’s history.
Abubakar highlighted that the N16.02 billion surpassed the N11.3 billion collected on November 22, 2023, and the N10 billion on August 3, 2023. In a press release, he conveyed the comments of the Customs Area Controller (CAC) of the Command, Comptroller Babajide Jaiyeoba, who described the accomplishment as one of the anticipated outcomes of the various strategies implemented.
“We urge officers and men of the Apapa command to keep up the tempo of zero tolerance for infractions and non-compromise for any violation of the Nigeria Customs Service Act (NCSA) 2023.”
Abubakar disclosed that weekly strategy meetings between the CAC and sectional heads, aimed at reviewing and evaluating successes and challenges, have contributed to the command’s commendable revenue collection despite a decline in trade volume.
The release further stated, “There have also been more regular stakeholder engagements between the command, sister government agencies, importers, exporters, terminal operators, and all others involved in cargo clearance and the supply chain.”
Abubakar also highlighted the remarkable improvement in container scanning under the leadership of Comptroller Jaiyeoba, emphasizing the commitment to deploying information and communication technology (ICT) for trade facilitation.
“The Area Controller urged importers, licensed Customs agents, and freight forwarders to embrace scanning more as the NCS, under CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, is committed to maximum deployment of ICT for trade facilitation.”
Comptroller Jaiyeoba emphasized the importance of sincere declaration as a mark of integrity, saving time and money, and creating a win-win situation for everyone involved in the customs clearance process. He urged stakeholders to view sincere declaration as a strategic business decision, preventing delays, demand notices, and ensuring the benefits of fast track and possible migration to Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) status.