
THE Nigerian Customs Service, Apapa Area Command, said it generated
the sum of N518, 046, 832, 016. 84 in the year 2020 and remmitted same
to the federation and non-federation accounts of the Federal Government
respectively.
The Comptroller, Mohammed Abba-Kura, disclosed this at a media briefing held in Lagos on Tuesday.
According to him, the revenue profile of the command significantly
increased by N94,379,835,352.53 from the N423.6 billion generated in the
year 2019, indicating a 22.3 per cent rise.
“As regards anti-smuggling and 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.
“This was done through credible intelligence-driven operations and
continuous partnership with other relevant agencies for effective port
management to stem their illegitimate activities.
“Accordingly, the command made a total of 318 seizures with Duty Paid
Value (DPV) of N21,196,806,637.00, and these figures almost tripled the
total seizures for the year 2019 which stood at 112 with total Duty
Paid value of N12.5 billion,” he said.
Abba-Kura listed some of the seized items to include: 133 containers
of unregistered pharmaceuticals, including tramadol, 58 containers of
parboiled rice, 30 of vegetable oil, 31 of used clothes and shoes, 13 of
used tyres, and other sundry items.
He said that for export, the unit also witnessed a boost in its
activities, from 262,095 metric tons in 2019 to 1,311,365 metric tons in
2020.
Abba-Kura pointed out that the Free on Board (FOB) value for the
exported items equally moved up from $132,760,512.94 million to
$340,884,102.99 million within the period under review.
He said that the naira equivalent of the exported items was estimated at N104,310,535,514.00, at N306 per US Dollar.
The comptroller said the items exported included steel bars as well as agricultural and mineral products.
“It is instructive to note that these unprecedented achievements were
made possible as a result of our officers’ doggedness and tireless
commitment to their duties, despite the COVID-19 pandemic ravaging
economies all over the world.
“Nonetheless, as we look forward to a prosperous and glorious year
ahead, the command has taken bold initiatives to ensure the collection
of appropriate revenue by creating an enabling environment for
legitimate businesses to thrive,” he said.
Abba-Kura said that as regards the Nigerian Export Proceeds (NEP)
number, the challenge had to do with automation and sensitising
stakeholders in using the number.
He said that the Central Bank of Nigeria was working in that direction.
The comptroller extended his appreciation to the Comptroller-General
of Customs, retired Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali, and his management team, as
well as stakeholders in the clearance value chain, for their continuous
support and encouragement.
– NAN