The Nigeria Customs Service, Apapa Area Command, has collected N489,614,095,022.15 as total revenue for the first quarter of 2024, which is over a hundred per cent higher than the N212.5b collected for the same period of 2023.

This was contained in a press release issued by the Command's Public Relations Officer, Chief Superintendent of Customs, Abubakar Usman, on Saturday, 6 April 2024.

The Customs Area Controller (CAC) of the Command, Comptroller Babajide Jaiyeoba, described the Command's first quarter collection as a bold step towards the realisation of the target and reminded all port users about the importance of compliance, which, according to him, comes with multiple benefits. 

According to him, the almost N2trillion target the Command is expected to collect in 2024 is attainable through diligently abiding by the service books of instructions like the Nigeria Customs Service Act (NCSA) 2023, government import/export prohibition lists, Common External Tariff and Federal Government approved Standard Operating Procedures (SOP). 

The CAC commended the Officers and port stakeholders for their cooperation towards attaining the laudable feat and called for sustained compliance by government and private sector stakeholders. 

Jaiyeoba said, "I want to urge all stakeholders in Apapa Port to keep supporting us in achieving an efficient system where everyone plays by the rules to achieve smoother, seamless, and faster import/export cargo clearance". 

"I will continue my weekly engagement of stakeholders at various levels to sustain the tempo of our achievements and consolidate on the gains from regular enlightenment of every member of the port community." He added. 

He reminded them that the Apapa Command of the NCS is playing a critical role towards the realisation of the N5.7tr annual target of the NCS in 2024, and as such, all hands should be on deck to achieve it. 

Comptroller Jaiyeoba emphasised that the present customs management has created room for multiple benefits for those who operate in compliance with the rules. He stated that the recently launched AEO is one of such benefits. 

"Making honest declaration puts the declarant at a vantage position to have a credible reputation and enjoy the benefits of earned integrity such as fast track and possible migration to the authorised economic operator(AEO)".

"Such attitude of compliance saves time and money as examination officers would find the cargo less cumbersome to process, and other service units, including sister government organisations, would not need to flag such cargo for seizure or arrest of the importers/exporters. The cargo gets cleared on time, and payments for penalties after demand notices are not necessary as no DN is issued on compliant import/export. " The CAC emphasised. 

While thanking the Officers for their punctuality, diligence, and non-compromise in discharging their responsibilities, Jaiyeoba reminded them of the CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniyi and Customs Management confidence vested in them. 

He expressed optimism for better performance in the second quarter of 2024, saying, "As we step into the second quarter to end the first half of 2024, I am convinced we will do better in revenue collection, facilitate more trade through our port and prevent smuggling under any guise."