The Apapa Port Command of the Nigeria Customs Services (NCS) raked in a record N1.02 trillion in 2022, a 16% increase from the N870.38 billion generated in 2021. This statement was according to Comptroller Malanta Yusuf, the Customs Area Controller for Apapa Port.
While making remarks at the command’s yearly activity review, Malanta stated that the feat was achieved despite fluctuations in the exchange rate of the Naira to the Dollar, a decline in trade, and setbacks in clearance value chains.
He added, “This feat was made possible because of the resilience of our officers and men in blocking revenue leakages and ensuring that all unpaid declarations and unutilised Pre-Arrival Assessment Reports had been traced and accounted to the Federal Government coffers.”
Mr. Malanta while addressing pressmen said, “I tried to leverage on the existing infrastructure of the technology-driven initiative of the CGC.”
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The port recorded total exports of N28.2 billion and 6.4 million metric tonnes of non-oil commodities between January to December 2022. Malanta explained that the new regulations in the commission allowed for exporters to fill out and submit the necessary documentation such as the Nigeria Exporters’ Proceed (NXP) form and the Clean Certificate of Inspection (CCI) form at locations across the country while only examinations take place at the port. Mr. Malanta also recognized the role that compliant traders played in driving the revenue increase.
According to Mr. Malanta, some of the exported items from the ports include steel bars, hibiscus, sesamum seeds, cocoa, cashew nuts, ginger, soya beans, and mineral products.
After surpassing its target for 2022, the command has set its target for 2023 to N1.5 trillion.
With regards to anti-smuggling, Malanta in his remarks recalled that the command was able to intercept and seize 157 containers with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N14.4 billion as against 102 containers with a DPV of N31.8 billion recorded in 2021. He added, “Our record shows that fake and prohibited drugs without necessary National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) certification and Tramadol topped the list of seizures made last year.”
“Other items seized include codeine syrup, foreign parboiled rice, vegetable oil, processed/unprocessed wood, used clothing, and others,” Mantala recalled. He also noted that 60 suspects have been arrested so far in connection to the seizures and are at various stages of investigation or prosecution by other agencies of government.
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In his remarks, Mr. Malanta Yusuf reported “In the area of trade facilitation, the central concern of this administration is to deploy technology to automate our process and procedures to maintain a balance between trade facilitation, revenue generation, and security of the nation.
“We have indeed made Apapa command a model port which attracted the commendation of the Secretary General of the African Free Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), H.E Mr. Wamkele Mene during his visit to the command in June 2022.”
As of November 2022, the Nigeria Customs Service was well on its way to surpassing the N3.1 trillion target set by the Federal Government for 2022. According to the National PRO, the service generated approximately N2.5 trillion by the end of its 11th month.
