…As LFTZ Command Records N138B in 6 months
The Nigeria Customs Service has expressed its readiness to handle Increased Economic Activities at the free zones in Lagos, as well as the Lekki Deep Sea Port.
Speaking during his familiarisation tour of the Lekki port and the free zones on Monday, 22 July 2024, the Zonal Coordinator Zone ‘A’, ACG Saidu Yusuf, said the service is well equipped to cover more economic terrains.
His words, “This is the future in Nigeria because what we are seeing is going to translate into a huge factor in the Nigerian economy. A lot of activities are happening here, and I am sure we are expecting more activities as well.”
“Infrastructure is being developed, and for us in Customs, we are very ready with our capacity building, and with the calibre of officers we have on the ground, I think we are up to our game to receive more factories and to cover more activities in the zone”, ACG Yusuf stated.
The Zonal Coordinator also visited the Lagos Free Trade Zone Command. He expressed delight at the level of improvement by officers and men of the command in barely 3 years of operation.
“I must confess that I’m really impressed with what I have seen today in the Command, it means the officers are really working, and what we need to do is to encourage them, just like has been done by the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, has been rolling out procedures and tools for the smooth operation of customs procedures. I’m sure by the time all the tools are fully operational, this command will come up very well in terms of revenue.”
The Customs Area Controller (CAC) Comptroller Olanrewaju Olumoh appreciated the Zonal Coordinator’s visit while also acknowledging the performance of the command since his assumption.
The CAC stated that he and his team have been upholding the core values of professionalism and integrity and doing remarkably well in revenue generation. “In the area of revenue, from January 2024 till date, the command has generated the cumulative sum of N138,179,207,744.00 as against the sum of N28 billion generated in the same period last year.”
Comptroller Olumoh noted that the revenue collected represents a 393.4% increase and expressed optimism about meeting and surpassing the Command’s target.
Stating further, Olumoh said though the command remains user-friendly, it remains committed to ensuring that illicit and harmful items do not enter the country through the Lekki Port. “Our officers conduct comprehensive physical inspection because we are very much committed to ensuring that no unscrupulous elements will bring in illicit or harmful items into the country through the Lekki port.”
In line with the desire of the CGC Adeniyi to have a very healthy workforce, the Zonal Coordinator commissioned a clinic set up by the Command within the office premises for officers to have easy access to first aid attention.
