|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has collected over N1.378trillion revenue in the first half of 2025 at the nation’s premier seaport, Apapa Port.
The Customs Area Controller of Apapa Command, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu, disclosed this on Tuesday, when he paid a visit to the headquarters of National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF).
Olomu’s words: “I wish to announce that as a result of collaboration with partners like NAGAFF, we have attained a total collection of N1,378,000,000,000 for the first half of 2025. Let me also thank you very sincerely for your support of the CGC’s transformation agenda.
“You are aware of the new initiatives and platforms like B’Odogwu and your members have participated in the various training sessions which are part of our building blocks for home-grown and sustainable customs modernization in Nigeria.”
Comptroller Olomu, who was making his first visit to the association headquarters as Apapa Customs Area Controller, described the NAGAFF Academy as a commendable institution where the association has committed to the training of freight forwarding professionals.
“NAGAFF Academy speaks of the value this association places on capacity building. You are an organization that thinks ahead, strategic, and we respect you for that,” Olomu stated.
The Apapa Customs boss also encouraged NAGAFF members to prioritize their health and imbibe a good routine for work-life balance.
“At work-free times, Apapa Customs officials and NAGAFF members can also incorporate exercises and structured nutrition to manage our health and well-being. In case you don’t know, we have a clinic on-site at the Command. It is open to officers as well as other stakeholders. I urge you to take maximum advantage of this medical facility,” he remarked.
On his part, the Founder of NAGAFF, Dr. Boniface Aniebonam, observed that unprofessional conduct of Customs officers has seized at Apapa Customs Command under Comptroller Olomu’s leadership.
“There was a high level of unprofessional conduct by Customs officers at the Apapa Command in the past and I suffered from having to respond to calls from aggrieved NAGAFF members over the years. Most times, I would be up until 2am replying calls.
“However, the story has changed at Apapa Customs and this explains why we are seeing an astronomical increase in revenue. We no longer get to the level of quarrelling and fighting over inspection of cargoes. It is a a good time for freight forwarding at Apapa port,” Aniebonam said.
Noting that the port operations are currently anchored on destination inspection, the NAGAFF founder admonished freight forwarders to be honest in their declaration.
In his welcome remarks, the President of NAGAFF, Chief Tochukwu Ezisi, also commended the Apapa Customs boss for making the visit to the association.
“We believe that this visit signifies a renewed commitment to trust, greater collaboration and progress,” Ezisi asserted.
The event also featured the decoration of the Apapa Customs Area Comptroller, Comptroller Olomu by the NAGAFF President Tochukwu; while other members of the Apapa Customs management entourage equally got the association’s lapel pin.
