LAGOS – The Apapa Area 1 Command of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) generated a revenue of N74.11 billion in the first quarter of 2015.
The command said that the figure was N55.36 billion higher than the amount generated in the in 2014.
Mr Eporwei Edike, the Controller of the command, gave the revenue profile at a Stakeholders’ meeting convened by the command in Lagos on Wednesday.
The controller attributed the increase in revenue recorded in the period under review to the improved and dedicated approach to trade facilitation adopted by the command.
He said, “the fact is that we have keyed into the strategic changes made by the management of the Nigeria Customs Service and the Comptroller-General of Customs.’’
Edike said 118 vessels called at the port in the first quarter of 2015, compared with 130 vessels which called in the same period of 2014.
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The controller explained that 48,487 containers were discharged in the first quarter of 2015 in contrast to 57,908 containers discharged in the same period of 2014.
“A total of 164 per cent of yard occupancy was recorded during the first quarter of 2015, while 203 per cent was recorded in the same period in 2014,’’ Edike said.
Edike, however, said the trade indicators had no negative effect on the revenue generated by the command.
“We are not sparing erring officers and we have intelligence officers who monitor and track transactions.
“If we notice any irregularities anywhere, we tackle them immediately.
“We also appreciate the agents working in Apapa; as a number of them have now seen the handwriting on the wall and have taken caution,’’ Edike said.
He told customs agents working in the command that only transparency could protect anyone working in the command.
The controller said the revenue boost experienced by the command was mainly due to the improved processing of documents for cargo clearance.
He said delays were no longer tolerated from officers handling the various assignments. (NAN)
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