Apapa Customs Controller Expresses Optimism of Meeting N1.5trn Revenue Target for 2023
*Records N900bn so far, N136.39bn in October alone
By Francis Ugwoke
The Area Controller of Nigeria Customs Command, Apapa, Comptroller Babajide Jaiyeoba, on Tuesday expressed optimism of meeting a revenue target of N1.5trillion for this year.
Jaiyeoba had set the new revenue target on assuming office in September in the premier port.
He told members of the League of Maritime Editors (LOME) during a courtesy visit that he had to set his own target as against N1.426 trillion set for the Command by the Headquarters.
He admitted that though economic challenges have dwindled trade, the Command has adopted some measures to ensure that it meets the revenue target.
Jaiyeoba said that so far, the Command has realized close to N900 billion, adding that it would have been more if not for the foreign exchange issues and one week strike experienced in the port.
However, he disclosed that as at Tuesday afternoon, the Command had recorded N136.39bn as revenue generation for the month of October, adding that more revenue could even be generated before the end of the day’s working hours.
The figure is N26 billion more than that of the September revenue, he said.
The Controller said he has been meeting with importers and customs agents to stress on the need for them to make honest declarations.
He explained that this has a way of speeding up the clearance process at the ports, as unnecessary delays are eliminated.
He admitted that the importers and customs agents have been complying with the measures put in place to check any form of trade malpractices.
Jaiyeoba explained further that most times, delays in clearing are caused by failure of the importers and customs agents in complying with trade regulations.
He added, “Every additional day in the clearing process attracts money. We are in for total trade facilitation. Trading itself is about money, the earlier you clear your goods the better for traders.
“Those are the things we are confronting, we have met the agents and we told them that they must embrace honest clearing and that we will also assist in the entire process.
“ It will reduce delays and if you don’t have delays, you will not have to pay unnecessary demurrage. It will also assist us because we don’t have to handle a document two to three times thereby wasting our time. Just today, we met some terminal operators, they have identified their own challenges and we are addressing them.
“The idea of leaving documents on the table has been eradicated, any officer that cannot solve a problem arising from a document would take it to his immediate superior for instant solution”.
The President of LOME, Chief Timothy Okorocha, had during the visit congratulated Jaiyeoba for his appointment as Controller of the premier command, adding that this is deserving considering his past performance.
He also briefed the Area Controller of LOME’s forthcoming 25th Anniversary celebration and the role of the Customs in the event.
By Francis Ugwoke
The Area Controller of Nigeria Customs Command, Apapa, Comptroller Babajide Jaiyeoba, on Tuesday expressed optimism of meeting a revenue target of N1.5trillion for this year.
Jaiyeoba had set the new revenue target on assuming office in September in the premier port.
He told members of the League of Maritime Editors (LOME) during a courtesy visit that he had to set his own target as against N1.426 trillion set for the Command by the Headquarters.
He admitted that though economic challenges have dwindled trade, the Command has adopted some measures to ensure that it meets the revenue target.
Jaiyeoba said that so far, the Command has realized close to N900 billion, adding that it would have been more if not for the foreign exchange issues and one week strike experienced in the port.
However, he disclosed that as at Tuesday afternoon, the Command had recorded N136.39bn as revenue generation for the month of October, adding that more revenue could even be generated before the end of the day’s working hours.
The figure is N26 billion more than that of the September revenue, he said.
The Controller said he has been meeting with importers and customs agents to stress on the need for them to make honest declarations.
He explained that this has a way of speeding up the clearance process at the ports, as unnecessary delays are eliminated.
He admitted that the importers and customs agents have been complying with the measures put in place to check any form of trade malpractices.
Jaiyeoba explained further that most times, delays in clearing are caused by failure of the importers and customs agents in complying with trade regulations.
He added, “Every additional day in the clearing process attracts money. We are in for total trade facilitation. Trading itself is about money, the earlier you clear your goods the better for traders.
“Those are the things we are confronting, we have met the agents and we told them that they must embrace honest clearing and that we will also assist in the entire process.
“ It will reduce delays and if you don’t have delays, you will not have to pay unnecessary demurrage. It will also assist us because we don’t have to handle a document two to three times thereby wasting our time. Just today, we met some terminal operators, they have identified their own challenges and we are addressing them.
“The idea of leaving documents on the table has been eradicated, any officer that cannot solve a problem arising from a document would take it to his immediate superior for instant solution”.
The President of LOME, Chief Timothy Okorocha, had during the visit congratulated Jaiyeoba for his appointment as Controller of the premier command, adding that this is deserving considering his past performance.
He also briefed the Area Controller of LOME’s forthcoming 25th Anniversary celebration and the role of the Customs in the event.
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