By Bon Peters
The
Nigeria Customs Service Tincan Island Port Apapa Lagos says it has
generated over N747 Billion Naira in the first half of 2025, representing
98.03% of its expected revenue Collection for the half year of 2025.
This
disclosure was contained in a press release issued, signed and made available
to newsmen by the Command's Public Relations officer Oscar Ivara in Lagos
Thursday.
The
statement noted, "the Nigeria Customs Service Tincan Island Port Command
has announced the collection of N747,079,233,259.91 as revenue for the first
half of 2025."
Commenting
on the development,the Customs Area Controller of the Command, Comptroller
Frank Onyeka disclosed that the figure indicated a remarkable surplus of
N171,719,786,247.68 when compared to the first half of 2024, which stood at
N575,359,447,011.23.
According
to him, "this figure represents a growth of approximately
29.85% increase and has achieved a 98.03% of the expected collection for the
first half of the year 2025."
Comptroller
Onyeka added that " in January 2025, the Command generated the sum
of N116,412,735,766.23 as against N88,430,128,122.76 in the
same period of 2024, while in the month of February, the Command recorded
a total of N103,254,292,293,823.23, above that of the previous year
which stood at N100,253,187,122.76."
He further
stated that, the months of March to May 2025 witnessed an increase in the
command's revenue with the collection of N128,266,643,816.08,
N145,020,168,704.83, N128,446,323,224.79 respectively.
The
statement also explained that those figures quoted above also showed an
increase when compared to the Command’s expected monthly revenue target
of N127, 055,833,289.88 and those of March to May 2024 which stood
at N115,108,066,256.20, N95,703,614,360.55, N92,671,603,418.04
respectively.
Our
Correspondent equally gathered that in June 2025, a total of N125,
679,068,853.75 was generated surpassing the figure recorded in corresponding
period of the previous year 2024, which stood at N83, 192,847,758.97.
On the new
B'odogwu platform, Compt Onyeka informed that “in the first half of the year,
the Command received 3,450 Single Goods Declarations (SGDs) under the new
B'Odogwu clearance system and has successful processed and exited 2,749
entries."
He averred
that since the innovation and its successful implementation, the Command had
organized several online and physical trainings and workshops to provide
first-hand knowledge to all stakeholders on the operations of the system.
On the
number of vessels that called at the Port, the Tincan Island Port Customs boss
disclosed that a total of 282 vessels called at the Command in the first
quarter of the year, with import tonnage comprised of Bulk cargoes such as bulk
wheat, bulk malt, lab chemical, drilling rods, bulk sugar, aluminum nitride,
general cargoes among others.
On
Anti-Smuggling activities, the Area Controller hinted that the Command recorded
significant progress in its drive towards safe-guarding the nation and her
citizens from the threat of unwholesome items through the arrest and subsequent
handover of illicit drugs, Arms and Ammunition even as he noted the
Command confiscated and successfully handed over illicit drugs worth over N8,
053,125,000.00 to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
He
attributed the feat to the timely interception of 2 x 20ft containers of which
were separately found to contain 128 packets of Cannabis Indica, 97 packets of
crystal methamphetamine, and 1,735 packets of Cannabis Indica with a combined
total weight of over 1,000 kilogram.
He further
stated that with the combination of thorough physical and Non-Intrusive
inspection examinations, the Command uncovered Arms and Ammunition and other
military equipment concealed in a 1x40ft container which was conveying Four (4)
used vehicles.
The items
recovered according to him include:
“i.
Ruger P345 Pistol Reg. No. 664 – 75425
ii.
23 GEN 4 Austria Pistol Reg. No. TO 6252
iii.
100 Rounds of live Ammunition of 9mm
iv.
34 Rounds of blank Ammunition of 9mm
v.
4 Rounds of Blank Ammunition
vi.
5 empty Magazines
vii.
2 Handcuffs
viii.
One small iron touch light."
The
statement noted that to ensure proper handling of the items, the Customs Area
Controller has handed them over to the Department of State Services (DSS),
Tincan Island Port Command, alongside the consignee and the declarant.
According
to Comptroller Onyeka, the handover exercise underscored the commitment of the
Command to uphold and promote National Security by safeguarding National
Borders against the influx of hard drugs and proliferation of small arms and
light weapons, as well as promoting inter-agencies collaboration with all
security agencies operating in the port.
To ensure
a harmonious working relationship with stakeholders, at the Port, the statement
said that the Area Controller has engaged with various stakeholders as
demonstrated in a strong commitment to fostering inclusive dialogue and collaboration
through sustained engagement with a diverse range of key partners in the
maritime and trade ecosystem.
Those
engaged included terminal operators, captains of industries, Government
agencies operating at the port and beyond, Customs licensed agents,
international organizations, civil society groups, and private sector
representatives among others.
He further
explained that “these engagements were designed to ensure that policies,
operational changes, and reforms were communicated and feedback received,
noting that "the interactive sessions with the captains of industries were
geared towards attracting and enhancing trade benefits to the Command and so
far, it has yielded positive results."
He
continued by stating that he had used the entire medium to urge stakeholders to
always ensure proper declaration of their consignments in order to enhance
trade facilitation.
He also
reiterated that as part of the command's efforts to promote transparency and
keep the public informed about developments and activities at the port, the
Command had actively engaged the press by organizing regular briefings and open
forum.
Appreciating
the Comptroller General of Customs, Compt Onyeka used the medium “to
congratulate and appreciate his boss and leader, the Comptroller General of
Customs and Chairman WCO Council, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR psc (+) on his
recent appointment as the Chairman of the World Customs Organization (WCO)
Council and his unwavering support to the Command,” even as he described his
election victory as “divine."
While
equally thanking all Customs partners operating within the port, he
however promised to always promote conducive business environment urging
officers and men of the Command to continue to show acts of bravery and
competence admonishing that the success of the Command is dependent on
their collective and professional contribution
