Tunde Bakare
The Senate Committee on Customs has commended the Apapa Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service for its impressive revenue generation of over N1.82 trillion this year and proactive engagement with stakeholders.
The Committee made the commendation during an oversight visit to the Command on 25 October 2024 to assess operational progress, address challenges, and explore potential legislative support to boost Customs’ efficiency.
Chairman of the Committee, Senator Jubril Echocho, commended the Command’s achievements and praised its revenue generation drive.
He said, “This commitment demonstrates the impact of effective revenue collection on our national economy. Revenue generation remains a priority in President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, as it helps reduce national debt and strengthens Nigeria’s global standing.”
While briefing the Committee on the Command’s activities, the Customs Area Controller (CAC) Comptroller Babatunde Olomu reported that the revenue generated was over N1.82 trillion, which surpassed N1.17 trillion collected in 2023.
He attributed this success to streamlined clearance procedures and a focused approach to lawful revenue collection. ‘’We have already beaten the 2023 total collection even when we have three months ahead to go.”
“While we focus on lawful areas for revenue collection and national economic development, we never slept on our responsibility in checking possibilities of smuggling of prohibited items using unorthodox means like concealment, under declaration, undervaluation or outright false declaration’’, Olomu stated.
The CAC highlighted recent seizures of over 36 illegal items, including codeine-based cough syrups, tramadol, unregistered pharmaceuticals, and other controlled substances, as part of the Command’s anti-smuggling efforts.
He noted that the Command’s trade facilitation mechanisms and regular stakeholder interactions have significantly improved compliance with customs regulations.
However, the Area Controller noted challenges, including outdated technology and limited scanning equipment, hindering efficient cargo inspections. He requested legislative support for advanced scanners and technological expansions. “Insufficient modern scanning machines delay shipment processing and affect data accuracy, impacting our ability to monitor compliance effectively”, Olomu explained.
In response, the Committee assured it would advocate for technological support and improved welfare provisions in the 2025 budget, recognising the officers’ impressive performance.
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