The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Apapa Area Command, has generated a total of N89 billion as revenue for November 2021.
This is even as the Seme Command intercepted 1,050 jerry cans (30 litres each) of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) known as petrol along the Seme and Badagry creeks.
The Customs Area Controller of the Command, Comptroller Malanta Yusuf, said: “The feat is coming after the command generated N86 billion in the month of October following improved inter-agency synergies, enhanced trade facilitation, speedy dispute resolution and prevention of revenue loss.”
Yususf, in a statement signed by the Public Relations Officer, Deputy Superintendent of Customs, Abubakar Usman, noted that the amount is the highest monthly collection by any Command of the Nigeria Customs Service.
He stated: “We are gradually making Apapa Port a no-go-area for perpetrators of illegalities. While we are facilitating trade, collecting revenue and promoting ease of doing business, our attention will also be focused on issues of national security too.
“This is evident in our mode of cargo examination and intelligence sharing with sister agencies. By the time we commence the use of scanners and other tools of artificial intelligence, trade facilitation will be at a higher speed and as the flagship Command, this will reflect very positively on our revenue.
Meanwhile, the Controller of Seme Customs Area Command, Comptroller Bello Jibo, said the seized petrol have a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N5.3 million.
Spokesman of the command, Hussain Abdullahi, quoted Jibo, in a statement, as saying the officers and men intercepted large quantities of items in sacks along the creeks and beaches in the axis on Wednesday, December 1.
Jibo said: “Upon examination, 1,050 jerry cans of 30 litres each of petroleum products which is equivalent to 31,500 litres were discovered with DPV of N5.3 million only.
“The unfortunate scenario is that apart from sabotaging government’s efforts, smuggling of petroleum products pose a serious threat to lives and most times vehicles.”
