The Apapa Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has disclosed that it recorded 39 per cent increase in revenue generation in the first five months of this year despite the economic challenges in the country.

The Area Comptroller of the command, Musa Jibrin, who stated this at a media briefing about the command’s activities in the first half of the year, disclosed that it generated a total of N136.3bn between January and May.

He said that the command was ready to facilitate export trade in line with the Federal Government’s effort at diversifying the economy through exportation of agricultural products.

According to him, the command has created a functional examination centre within the APM Terminal to serve as a coordinating centre for all stakeholders in cargo examination at the Apapa Port, in line with the government’s ease of doing business initiative.

“The command will continue to intensify efforts at blocking all revenue leakages in order to sustain and build on this result,” he explained.

According to Jibrin, the command’s enforcement unit carried out a total of 24 detentions, including containers of different items, adding that the arrests ranged from under invoicing, wrong classification, declaration, prohibition and under payments.

He said, “I wish to reiterate our resolve to do our best to maintain our lead in revenue generation irrespective of the prevailing harsh economic conditions. We are, however, committed to ensuring trade regulations and enforcement of government’s fiscal policies, while issues of national security also remain cardinal in our day-to-day operations.

“I assure all patriotic stakeholders of a more conducive business environment that will avail them the opportunity of experiencing a seamless clearance of their consignments and general improvement within the shortest possible time.”

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