CEM REPORT, FINANCE | The Apapa Command of the Nigerian Customs Service in the first quarter of 2023, generated N212.6 billion from its activities.
This is according to the Apapa Area Controller, Comptroller Auwal Mohammed, in Lagos on Tuesday.
Breaking down the report, the Area Controller, said that exported goods in the quarter are worth N70.2 billion which is equivalent to a Free on Board (FOB) value of $159,845,232.84.
He added that goods exported were processed agricultural goods such as sesame seeds, ginger, hibiscus, mineral resources, steel ingot, and others.
He also noted that the service had had a total tonnage of 110,448 metric tonnes in the first quarter of the year including processed agricultural goods such as sesame seeds, ginger, hibiscus, mineral resources, and steel ingot for export.
Furthermore, the service in Q1’23 made seizures of 14 containers with a Duty Paid Value of N22.1 billion.
The container bore prohibited items such as vegetable oil, foot wears, used clothing, unprocessed wood, and tramadol tablets.
He added that “It is pertinent to mention that on March 31 the command uncovered a large quantity of 225mg of tramadol tablets concealed in 2x40ft container numbers TRHU 4758549 and TRHU 6936803.
“143.8 million tablets of Tramadol 225mg were discovered in 720 cartons weighing 10.3 tonnes (10,386kg) that originated from India, and this single seizure is valued at N21.6 billion.”
Comptroller Mohammed stated that the command’s functions of revenue generation and collection, suppression of smuggling, and facilitating legitimate trade have been consistently implemented within the first three months of 2023.
In the fight against smuggling the Apapa service noted that enforced government fiscal policies and extant laws to ensure that all import and export consignments transiting through Apapa Port are duly examined.
Additionally, Comptroller Mohammed said the fight against smuggling has been strengthened through effective collaboration and timely sharing of credible intelligence with sister government agencies in the port.
“My meeting with various stakeholders and partner government agencies is to ensure the tempo of compliance is sustained and improved upon, the command stood forthright in foiling attempts at smuggling prohibited items into and out of the country.”
