The CAC of the Apapa Command of the NCS, Comptroller MI Yusuf addressing the media on the activities of his Command this morning.
Story by Dili Utomi.
The Apapa Port Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) is found within the premier Port of the nation. It has over the years played the role of one of the most crucial Commands of them all. The Command has in most cases aggressively carried out its functions of facilitating trade, regulating import/exports activities, engaging in anti-smuggling activities and also crucially generating revenues for the nation. The Command has over time proven itself as a pacesetter, innovator and a shinning example among the various Commands under the NCS.
It is with this qualities in mind that the Customs Area Controller of the Command, Comptroller Malanta Ibrahim Yusuf has developed a laser-focused mind of carrying out the statutory responsibilities of the Command thereby churning out impressive records of performance.
The Command’s CAC, this morning engaged members of the media in a press briefing to highlight a few of the activities and successes achieved in the course of the Command carrying out its duties for the first quarter of 2022.
CAC Yusuf revealed that in the period under review “The command has collected revenue to the tune of Two Hundred and Sixty-Four Billion, Five Hundred and Thirty-Six Million, Two Hundred and One Thousand, Two Hundred and Ninety Three naira, Seventy-One kobo only (N264,536,201,293.71). This shows a significant increase of 104 billion naira as against 159 billion naira collected in the corresponding months of the year 2021, representing an increase of 65.7% increase in revenue collection”.
A cross section of Journalists at the press briefing.
The CAC also indicated that in the area of anti-smuggling activities, the Command through various rigorous efforts and shared intelligence recorded “Forty-six (46) seizures of various items with a duty paid value of
One billion, One Hundred and Forty-Two Million, Eight Hundred and Seventy Six Thousand, Six hundred and Six naira only (N1,142,876,606.00) as against Twenty-Eight (28) seizures made in the Corresponding months of the year 2021. These seizures include unregistered medicaments such as tramadol and Codein syrup, unprocessed wood, used clothing, footwear, foreign parboiled rice and other sundry items that fall under the import/export prohibition list contravening the CEMA act, CAP C45 of the law of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 2004.
Some officers of the Command watching and listening keenly during the briefing.
The assiduous Comptroller also noted that in line with the federal government’s efforts to diversify the economy, exported goods amounting to the sum of Thirty Four Billion, Seventy Two Million, Eight Hundred and Sixty Nine Thousand, Seven Hundred and Ninety Nine Naira (#34,072,869,799.00) only with a Free On Board (FOB) value of $87,992,356.10 Million (US) were recorded over the period as against the #30.2 Billion which is equivalent to FOB value of $82.1 Million (US) between January and March 2021.
During the questions and answers session, the CAC also indicated that the level of engagement and awareness with stakeholders have made compliance level as high up as 60% and also indicated that the Command is ready for the use of Scanners as personnel are being trained and necessary arrangements at advanced level before the deployment of the Scanners which will improve efficiency, bring about better cargo through put and ultimately a higher rate of revenue generated. He also added that the Command achieves the revenue target usually given to it by the management of the NCS, but that beyond the target, they on their own part impose targets on themselves which they also surpass. The target given them for generation on monthly basis is #70 Billion, but according to the CAC the Command generates over #85 Billion every month. He indicated that they meet with stakeholders every month to iron out issues and share information and this has been crucial in helping revenue generation and also every other consideration.
CAC Yusuf appealed to all stakeholders to make sure that items on the import/export prohibition lists are observed and also to prepare themselves for the emerging realities of the Customs examination done through the non-intrusive inspection (NII) regime. He thanked the Controller General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ali (Rtd.), and his management team, the officers and men of the Command, compliant stakeholders and the media for the synergy that enables the successes being achieved.
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