Apapa port

John Iwori

About  N19.6 billion was  generated  by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Apapa Area One Command into the federation account last  in September.

Lagos Port Complex (LPC), which is home to Africa's largest container terminal, Apapa Port, is under the watch of the command. The port is presently run by a private operator, APM Terminals Apapa Limited under the port concession programme of the federal government which was initiated during the Chief Olusegun Obasanjo's administration.
Customs Area Controller (CAC), Apapa Area One Command, Comptroller Mohammed Umar  who disclosed  the amount realised in  his office said that but for several other militating factors such  low level of economic activities, the command would have generated more.

The CAC revealed this when President of the Maritime Reporters’ Association of Nigeria (MARAN), Mr. Bolaji Akinola, led other executive members of the association on a courtesy call to the command headquarters, Papa, Lagos.
Umar  said   he was always open to  constructive criticisms that would make the command perform its duty better in the overall interest of Nigeria and the growth of the nation's economy.
The Customs chief said that security and flood challenges impacted negatively on import and thus on the command’s September 2012 revenue.

He challenged the media to educate Nigerians, particularly importers, to make honest declaration of their imports.
Akinola had earlier told Umar that MARAN was in the forefront of promoting developmental journalism. He said the association  has taken its contribution to the development of the maritime industry seriously.
He prayed for a successful tenure of Umar, even as he  hailed  the longstanding cordial relationship between the command and MARAN.
He enjoined the CAC, who is barely two months in office,  to strengthen the relationship and maintain an open door policy with members of the association.