By Adedapo Adesanya
Despite the lockdown declared by the federal government, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Apapa Area Command in Lagos State generated N39.9 billion a revenue in the month of April.
April was the only month which the lockdown policy ran from the beginning through the end after President Muhammadu Buhari ordered an initial suspension of nonessential services for two weeks on March 29 to contain the coronavirus pandemic. He later extended it by an additional three weeks.
The Deputy Superintendent of Customs and Public Relations Officer of the command, Mrs Nkeiruka Nwala, disclosed in Lagos that the amount generated last month was 7 percent or N 2.5 billion higher than the corresponding period of 2019, which was N37.4 billion.
She also said that the command generated more in April 2020 than in March 2020.
According to the Deputy Superintendent, N38.489 billion was recorded in the month of March as against N39.877 billion collected in April, which indicates an increase of about N1.388 billion.
“Recall that the command in the first quarter of this year generated N110.204 billion even with lots of challenges globally and Nigeria is not isolated from these challenges as critical sectors of the economy are adversely affected.
“However, the Nigeria Customs Service, and in particular, the Apapa Area Command remain resolute at ensuring that we collect the much needed revenue for the Federal Government and also ensure the safety and well-being of the citizenry.
“This is through curtailing smuggling to its barest minimum while facilitating legitimate import and export trades,” she said.
Mrs Nwala said that the increase in revenue collection was a product of many factors including, strict application of import guidelines, increased level of compliance by stakeholders and openness to address all complaints from importers promptly, among other measures.
She further said that in line with the presidential directive, the Apapa Port remained open and customs officers were on ground discharging their functions of collecting revenue and securing the nation’s seaports against influx of prohibited goods.
Mrs Nwala, however, called on importers to use the opportunity of the presidential directive to evacuate their consignments before normal activities resume.
The public relations officer said that NCS has resolved to service its esteemed stakeholders with utmost diligence.
She also called on other stakeholders in the clearance chain to play their respective roles to move the nation forward especially at this trying time.
