The Tincan Island Port Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Apapa Lagos, have collected a total of N237,265,538,567.88 between January and October 2017.
This figure, according to a statement signed by the Command’s PRO, Mr. Uche Ejesieme on Monday, represents a marked improvement when compared with the sum of N207,934,704,906.23 collected in the corresponding period of 2016.
The Controller Tincan Island Port Comptroller Bashar Yusuf in his remarks linked the feat to the Command’s repositioning and efficiency within the period under review.
According to him, the Command have developed operational templates which were carefully articulated to encompass adherence to due diligence on the part of the stakeholders and entrenchment of professionalism and integrity on the psyche of the officers.
He also pointed out that the Command relied mostly on capacity building, training and re-training to extract reasonable level of professional integrity from the officers which ultimately led to the increase in Revenue Collection.
He said “You will recall that the Command alone have recorded three different seizures of catche of arms and have recently seized two containers load of suspected controlled drugs (Tramadol) falsely declared as used vehicle and computer accessories”.
Continuing, he stressed that the Command have undoubtedly diminished the capacity of such unpatriotic importers through several measures aimed at nipping such issues in the bud.
He declared that seizures were made through high profile intelligence using ICT as a major tool.
“Our new strategic focus has strengthen not only statutory responsibility of Revenue Generation but also safety of lives by decimating the tendency of unscrupulous importers who bring in unwholesome drugs, particularly Tramadol which consumption would naturally have a consequential effect on our large population of youth, thereby ultimately affecting their educational pursuits and socio-economic wellbeing amongst other negative effects.
Just recently our president was in Turkey with the Comptroller General of Customs alongside other top government functionaries on a diplomatic visit and the issue of arms was discussed after which a memorandum of understanding was signed with a view to ensure that such illicit imports are curtailed.
Speaking further, the Controller applauded the improved compliant of our stakeholders and urged them to maintain the path.
On his plans for the ember months, the Controller re-assured that no stone would be left unturned in his efforts to ensure a sustained increase in Revenue Generation and facilitation of legitimate trade.
Yusuf linked the feat to the Comptroller General of Customs, Hameed Ali, saying “It is instructive to note that the Nigeria Customs Service is putting measures in place to curb the influx of arms which is why the Service recently unveiled plans to introduce the Authorized Economic Operators (AEO) programme, a platform that will enhance the streamlining of cargo clearance”.
AEO is a programme introduced by the World Customs Organization to facilitate trade with security situation associated with the Import and Export businesses across international borders.
