Customs Apapa Area Command has generated the 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) in the year, 2020.
The Customs Area Controller of Apapa Command, Comptroller Mohammed Abba-Kura disclosed this while briefing journalists on the command’s activities for the outgone year on tuesday, January 12, 2021 in lagos.
Comptroller Abba-Kura told journalists that”The Command between the months of January to December, 2020 collected revenue to the 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) and remitted to the federation and non-federation accounts of the Federal Government, respectively.
“In contrast, this 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%.
ANTI-SMUGGLING
In line with the provision of extant circulars; trade guidelines and enforcement of
government fiscal policy measures, the Command was able to further
strengthened 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.
He clearly stated that,”the Command made 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). These figures almost tripled the total
seizures for the year 2019 which stood at 112 with total Duty Paid value of N12.5
billion.
Comptroller Abba-Kura highlighted
the seized items as
● 133 containers of unregistered pharmaceuticals including tramadol
● 58 containers of parboiled rice
● 30 containers of vegetable oil
● 31 containers of used clothes and shoes
● 13 containers of used tyres, and other sundry items.
Speaking on Export, he said,”
The export unit also witnessed a boost in its activities, from two hundred and
sixty-two thousand and ninety-five metric tons (262,095) in 2019, it rose 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 naira equivalent of the exported items
is estimated at One hundred and four billion, Three hundred and ten million, Five
hundred and thirty-five thousand, Five hundred and fourteen
(104,310,535,514.00) naira only at 306 naira per US Dollar. Items exported include
steel bars, agricultural and mineral products among others.
Comptroller Abba-Kura pointed out that,
“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.
The Comptroller expressed the Command’s
profound appreciation to the Comptroller-General of Customs, Colonel
Hameed Ibrahim Ali (Rtd) and his management team for their continuous support
and encouragement, whilst thanking their valuable stakeholders in the clearance
value chain, same as government agencies operating in the port and the media.