In spite of the ravaging COVID-19 Pandemic, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Apapa Area Command, generated N39.877 billion in the month of April.
Mrs Nkeiruka Nwala, Deputy Superintendent of Customs and Public Relations Officer of the command, disclosed this Wednesday, in Lagos.
Nwala said the record indicated an appreciable increase of over N2.5 billion when compared with the corresponding period of 2019 with N37.391 billion, when here was no COVID 19 attacks.
She said that the command generated N38.489 billion in the month of March as against N39.877 billion collected in April, which indicates an increase of over 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 remains 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,” he said.
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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 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.
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 had resolved to service its esteemed stakeholders with utmost diligence.
She called on other stakeholders in the clearing chain to play their respective roles and make cargo facilitation more effective despite the devastating pandemic and its effects on global economy.