Author: Lucy Nyambi.

Comptroller Olanrewaju Olumoh, in charge of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Lagos Free Trade Zone Command, has restated the commitment of the service to improve Trade Facilitation and ease of doing business within the Free Zones.

Comptroller Olumoh pledged during his maiden working visit to Alaro City and Lekki Free Zones on Thursday, 9 May 2024.

According to him, the visit is to better understand the operations of the free zones under his command. “I am coming to renew our pledge of support and dedication to the continuous development of the zones. The Nigerian Government, through the NCS, is very much committed to the overriding goal of making the free zones economically rewarding to the nation. We appreciate you having these investments here”.

“It is our duty and responsibility to provide you with that positive climate, that enabling environment for you to flourish, so I want to assure you that you can always count on us in the command of anything that will hinder you. Please, my doors are open, and I have a listening ear to address your concern and to do everything possible to get these barriers out for you to thrive”. The CAC stated.

Adetayo Oduwole, Head of Operations, Alaro City Free Zone, as well as the Managing Director, Lekki Free Zone Development Company, Zhang Bin, appreciated the Customs Area Controller for his visit while also pledging their compliance with stipulated procedures.

At the Customs Processing Centre, Comptroller Olumoh urged officers to stick to the core values of the service, as the leadership under Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, is very much passionate about promoting a service-oriented approach in Customs operations.

“Trade facilitation and Ease of Doing Business is paramount. At no point in the chain would we want to see any needless delay that can ultimately be detrimental to the nation’s economy “. He said.

On his tour assessment, Comptroller Olumoh expressed delight at the enormous investments in the free zones. “I’m happy we have enterprises here taking advantage of these opportunities. So, my tour around our zones today has been for me to renew the fact that the Customs Command here will not depart from that pledge of continued support and cooperation in ensuring that our trade facilitation is enhanced and ease of doing business is improved”.

“That has been the key point we have been emphasising to all these enterprises, to assure them of our support so that they can fully explore the potential that abounds in this great country”.

Comptroller Olumoh urged the enterprises to imbibe a culture of voluntary compliance, which will allow for seamless customs processes.

He assured stakeholders of a friendly climate for trade and commerce to flourish in the free zones.

The CAC visited the Lekki Deep Sea Port, Lagos Free Zone, and other enterprises within the Zone.

Abass Quadri

The Nigeria Customs Service, Murtala Muhammed International Airport Command, has handed over counterfeit $1.250,000 notes, cryptocurrency machines, and military accessories to representatives of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) and the Nigerian Army, respectively.

In a press briefing held at the Command Headquarters in Lagos on 9 May 2024, Comptroller Charles Orbih, in charge of the command, explained that it is based on the directive of the Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, to foster inter-agency cooperation and collaboration.

Speaking on the achievement recorded by the command between January to April 2024, the Customs Area Controller (CAC) said the sum of N19,037,442,310 was generated, representing a 42 percent collection of the revenue target given to the command and a 67 percent increase when compared to the preceding year 2023.

He said, “In our effort to block revenue leakage, we also seized items such as precious stones, zinc, lithium, copper stones, 120 pieces of sim cards, and others”.

The CAC advised smugglers to desist from their nefarious acts as officers and men of the service are always on the ground to thwart their activities.

While the counterfeit notes, 5 cryptocurrency machines were handed over to the EFCC, 48 pieces of drones, 112 military wares, 2 bulletproof helmets, and 3 army vests were handed to the military.

Receiving the items, Assistant Commandant of EFCC II Oguzi Moses appreciated the service for making the commission’s work easier.

He said, “This is just the starting point of our investigation. With this machine, we have a lead to discover all criminals behind this as our system would analyse all these crypto machines and produce a better result”.

On his part, the General Officer Commanding 81 division, Major General Mohammed Usman, appreciated the CGC and the CAC for ensuring sister agency collaboration.

“As you can see, we are working together, and I know when we hand over these items to our drone experts, they will be able to use it.”

“Some of these drones can last up to 3 days on air, which means some mischievous ones bring them in, and we are happy the Customs are up to their task”. He concluded.

Author: Lucy Nyambi.

Comptroller Babajide Jaiyeoba has handed over the reigns of Apapa Area Command to Comptroller Babatunde Olomu following his retirement after 35 years of meritorious service.

In a handover ceremony held at the Command Headquarters on Monday, 6 May 2024, the Outgoing Customs Area Controller, Babajide Jaiyeoba, appreciated the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, for considering him worthy to steer the affairs of Apapa Area Command.

He acknowledged the support of officers and men, attributing the command’s achievements to teamwork.

He said, “When I assumed office in September 2023, the assurances of support I received from officers and men on the ground strengthened me. I can boldly say all we achieved during my period are products of teamwork”.

“Between January and April 2024, the Apapa Command of NCS collected N672,172,624,033.03 as revenue for the federal government. We have set the ball rolling for the actualisation of our target, and the officers I am leaving behind are focused on this. My optimism is not misplaced because we have all proven to be tested and trusted”. He stated.

He explained that the command in April 2024 alone generated N182 billion, a record-breaking monthly collection in the history of the service.

Comptroller Jaiyeoba also acknowledged the cooperation of sister agencies and stakeholders. “We jointly worked to achieve our individual, organisational goals and collective interest of making Apapa port import and export friendly without undermining national security”.

The outgoing CAC solicited maximum cooperation from the incoming Customs Area Controller, describing him as a team player and result-oriented officer.

On his part, Comptroller Olomu promised to build on the successes of his predecessor.

He pledged to promote a robust customs community while also implementing all provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, the Common External Tariff, import and export prohibition guidelines and other instruction books as directed by the Federal Government.

He said, “While promoting a robust customs community relation system with regular interface with all government and private sector stakeholders, I shall upscale our enforcement with intelligence to ensure that only legitimate trade is allowed in Apapa Port and all the terminals within the command. Our tolerance level for smuggling of prohibited items, concealment and declaration for duty evasion shall be zero and shall remain so”. He added.

Stakeholders appreciated the outgoing CAC for standing by agents and facilitating cargo processes while pledging their support for Comptroller Olomu.