… As Apapa Command Honours Outstanding Stakeholders
The Comptroller General of Customs (CGC), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, has lauded the Apapa Port Command for its exceptional revenue performance, which has surpassed N2.2 trillion. Speaking at the command’s end-of-year party and award ceremony on Friday, December 13, 2024, Adeniyi, represented by Deputy Comptroller General Caroline Niagwan, commended the Area Controller, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu, fsi, and his team for their remarkable achievement.
The CGC emphasized the importance of compliance and collaboration as essential strategies for enhancing productivity at the port. “Compliance is not just a requirement; it is a competitive advantage,” he noted, urging the command to maintain its outstanding performance.
The Apapa Command’s record-breaking revenue collection has earned it widespread recognition and accolades, underscoring its pivotal role in national economic growth. Adeniyi urged the officers to sustain the momentum and continue setting benchmarks for excellence in customs operations.
The event celebrated the command’s milestones while fostering a renewed commitment to excellence and innovation in the coming year.
“It is with immense pleasure that I stand before you today to celebrate a shared commitment to compliance and excellence in trade. This award ceremony is a testament to your dedication to ethical business practices, adherence to regulations, and unwavering support for the principles that drive Nigeria’s economic growth.
“Compliance is not merely a requirement; it is a competitive advantage. It fosters transparency, reduces operational risks, and strengthens the trust between businesses and regulatory authorities. It also positions compliant stakeholders to enjoy streamlined processes, faster clearance times, and access to the numerous benefits that come with being recognized as trusted trade partners.
“As a Service, we understand that sustaining compliance can sometimes require capacity building, especially as global trade evolves. To this end, the Service is committed to providing the necessary training, technical assistance, and partnerships that will empower you with the knowledge and tools to maintain this high standard.
“Our goal is to ensure that every stakeholder remains competitive,vinnovative, and aligned with global best practices.
By working together, we can unlock even greater opportunities for growth. Compliant stakeholders not only contribute to national revenue but also drive economic development, attract foreign investments, and enhance Nigeria’s position in international trade” Adeniyi said
In his welcome speech, Comptroller Olomu expressed appreciation to the CGC and the customs management team for always providing the direction and inspiration to the command in it’s drive to meet government’s expectations .
He described the end of year party as many things rolled up in one as it strengthens the stakeholders bond as a community of government and private sector collaborators working together for the betterment of Nigeria; it’s also to celebrate together as the year 2024 ends and honour those whose outstanding performances contributed in shaping the command’s achievements in 2024.
Comptroller Olomu said despite the challenges of low trade volume, the command is able to achieve it’s target which is a reflection of officers commitment and dedication to duty
He added that in line with the policy thrust of the CGC, the command utilised it’s relationship with stakeholders to achieve it’s goal this year.
According to him improving on stakeholder engagement has become an operational template the Comptroller General of Customs has impressed on the officers and expressed joy to announce that it has proven to be a masterstroke towards enhanced compliance.
Comptroller Olomu said “Compliance is no doubt the bedrock of all customs achievements in areas of revenue collection, anti smuggling and legitimate trade facilitation. Our approach to regurlarly engage our sister government agencies has raised our degree of intelligence sharing towards a common national interest.
“Let me use this period to thank the NPA, DSS, NDLEA, NAQS,Port Health, Police, Immigration and other sister government agencies for their consistent collaboration in 2024. They are indeed an integral part of the command’s success story in 2024. I urge them to stay on board let’s do it again in 2025.
“With our port users, we maintained regularly enlightenment meetings, faster trade dispute resolution mechanism and consistent appraisal of feedbacks to keep improving on our responsibilities.
“There have been positive fallouts of our regular interface with our stakeholders. This is evident in our collection of N2..2tr revenue and still counting, zeroing in on the minority that attempt smuggling by curbing their activities with seizures. We are fostering inclusivity and this will continue in 2025
“We have ensured no container , import or export consignment goes through our control without due diligence of proper examination. This has been the foundation of our impeccable enforcement drive.
“We are honouring some of our officers and stakeholders for their outstanding performances in the year 2024 . I want to urge the awardees to see this as a call for more commitment to surpass their best outputs. There is no end to improvement
“This should also be a challenge to those who didn’t make the award list this time, I urge them to keep improving with a promise that their inputs shall not go unnoticed for due recognition” he concluded
The Apapa Port Command capped off a record-breaking year with a grand celebration, honoring stakeholders and officers who played pivotal roles in its success. The command recognized industry giants such as APM Terminals, Sifax Group, ENL Consortium, Dangote, Talod Ocean Airfreight, and Princess Chi Ezeh, CEO of Munah Sylva Nigeria Limited, for their outstanding contributions to its operations.
The ceremony also celebrated serving officers for their dedication and acknowledged retired personnel whose legacy continues to inspire excellence. The awards underscored the collaborative spirit and commitment that drove the command’s remarkable achievements in 2024, including surpassing a historic N2.2 trillion in revenue collection.
Comptroller Babatunde Olomu, fsi, praised the honorees for their unwavering support and emphasized the command’s resolve to sustain its stellar performance in the coming year. The event served as a testament to the power of partnership and innovation in driving success at Nigeria’s busiest port.
CSC Abubakar Usman
Customs PRO
Apapa Port Command
