Speaking at the command press briefing in Apapa yesterday, the Customs Area Controller, Dr Babatunde Olomu, said October alone marked a record-breaking monthly collection of N264.4 billion, the highest in the command’s history. He expressed optimism that the command would meet its 2024 revenue target of N2.2 trillion.
“Despite the remarkable decline in the volume of trade, this command has been able to block leakages and achieved maximum collection of revenue as evidenced in our monthly activities,” he stated.
Olomu said as part of the command’s anti-smuggling drive, it made over 36 seizures of controlled and prohibited items, valued at more than N1.5 billion. These consisted of used clothing, frozen poultry, unregistered pharmaceuticals and other controlled substances.
Olomu warned that thorough inspections would continue to deter unlawful trade, with advanced scanners and physical checks deployed as needed. He said the command handed over six containers of falsely declared and expired pharmaceutical products to the National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
Olomu said the seizures, which included unapproved dosages of tramadol, codeine cough syrup, and various injectable drugs, underscore the command’s commitment to preventing harmful goods from entering the Nigerian market.
Olomu emphasised the importance of safeguarding public health, stressing that the importation of unverified pharmaceutical products violates Nigeria’s customs regulations and poses severe risks to consumers.
Speaking on progress in trade facilitation, the Controller said the command has continued to advance trade facilitation measures, aligning with the Federal Government’s Ease of Doing Business agenda.
He highlighted the efforts to include weekend operations to expedite cargo release and minimise delays as well as utilising tools like the Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) programme and Advanced Ruling for smoother import and export processes.
