The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Apapa Command, has generated N135 billion for the month of October, the highest monthly collection in its history.
The Customs Area Controller (CAC), Comptroller Babajide Jaiyeoba, said this in a statement signed by the command’s Public Relations Officer, Mr Abubakar Usman, on Thursday in Lagos.
Jaiyeoba added that the command achieved a landmark revenue collection feat with the generation of N11.3 billion on Nov. 22, thereby surpassing the existing highest daily collection record of N10 billion which was achieved on Aug. 3.
He described the collection as a fallout of teamwork, system audit, compliance and zero compromise.
Jaiyeoba, however, urged officers of the command to sustain the tempo of hard work.
He explained that the recent daily and monthly revenue collection achievements should be a motivation for officers to do more to justify the confidence invested in the service by the Federal Government.
Jaiyeoba enjoined them to meet the expectations of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, in the areas of maximum revenue collection, legitimate trade facilitation and suppression of smuggling.
He urged members of the Apapa port community such as importers, licensed customs agents, chandlers, haulage operators, and freight forwarders to see compliance and obedience to laws as part of their civic responsibility as citizens.
“My office is open for dialogue and suggestions on ways to improve customs service delivery and achieve Federal Government objectives.
“I appreciate the various Federal Government agencies for their cooperation, as customs relationship with them is excellent, all geared towards realizing government goals,” he said.
He pointed out that they are very optimistic about meeting their target for the year, even though, from the initial part of the year, it was not what was expected.
“From what we have been recording in the last two months, I am very optimistic that we will be able to get there.
“`What we need is the willpower and the willpower is there. I know that by the end of the year, we will have cause to celebrate,” he said.
He urged sister agencies to stick to their standard operating procedures which they had always maintained.
“The issue is just with these non-governmental organizations, and we will continue to urge them to play the game by the rules.
“Whether you are an agent or licensed chandler, there is a condition for your license. The condition for every operator is spelt out. If we all play according to the rules of the game, there will be less friction in securing the port,” he said.
