By Ikugbadi Oluwasegun
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Apapa Area Command has reached a significant milestone, collecting N2.014 trillion as of Tuesday 19th of November 2024.
Comptroller Babatunde Olomu, Customs Area Controller (CAC) announced the achievement during a routine parade at the command headquarters in Apapa on Wednesday, 20 November 2024.Olomu commended officers for their dedication and stated that the command aims to achieve its N2.2 trillion target by the end of the month.
“To meet this revenue target, despite economic challenges, reflects the sacrifice and commitment of our officers, men, and stakeholders,” he said.
“The CGC has reiterated the possibility of increasing our target by 10 per cent before the year ends. We have already generated N130 billion, and with your cooperation and support, I am confident we can achieve the desired result,” he emphasised.
Olomu attributed the success to the leadership of the CGC in revenue collection, trade facilitation, and enforcement.
He noted that the command’s revenue contribution represents 40 per cent of the NCS’s total collection of N5.07 trillion.
He urged officers to maintain the command’s positive revenue and enforcement records, ensuring that seizures are accompanied by arrests for prosecution to combat smuggling effectively.
Referring to the theme of the recently concluded 2024 CGC Conference, which focused on engaging traditional and new partners, Comptroller Olomu announced that the command would host an end-of-year gathering and award night to recognize officers and stakeholders who contributed to its success in 2024.
“We aim to reward our compliant partners, which will serve as a morale booster for others,” the CAC said.
The parade concluded with the recognition of officers who demonstrated exceptional performance in executing their duties over the past two months.