The Nigeria Customs Service, Apapa Area Command said it collected N489bn as revenue for the first quarter of 2024.
The command’s Public Relations Officer, Abubakar Usman, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday.
Usman said that the figure represents more than 100 per cent increase when compared with N213bn the command collected same period in 2023.
The command’s Customs Area Controller, Babajide Jaiyeoba, commended the officers and stakeholders for their cooperation in attaining the feat.
He called for sustained compliance by government and private sector stakeholders.
Jaiyeoba said that the command was playing a critical role towards the realisation of the N5.7tn annual target of the NCS for 2024, “and as such all hands should be on the deck to achieve it.”
According to him, the almost N2tn annual target of the command for 2024 would be achieved by, “diligently abiding by the service books of instructions like the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, government import/export prohibition lists, Common External Tariff and Federal Government approved Standard Operating Procedures.”
He thanked the officers of the command for their punctuality, diligence, and non-compromise in the discharge of their responsibilities.
The Apapa Customs boss reminded the officers that the present customs management has created room for multiple benefits for those who operate in compliance with the rules.
He 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.
“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,” Jaiyeoba said.
He added that making an honest declaration puts the declarant in a vantage position to have a credible reputation and, “the benefits that come with earned integrity such as fast track and possible migration to the authorised economic operator.”