Lagos Free Trade Zone Command Generates N138.1b In Seven Months, Hosts ACG Yusuf
By Asuquo Nuwak
The Lagos Free Trade Zone Command of the Nigeria Custom Service has generated a total revenue of N138,179,207,744.00 from January to July 2024 which signifies an increase of 393.4% compared to what was generated at the same period in 2023.
The Customs Area Controller of the Command, Comptroller Olanrewaju Olumoh, disclosed this while welcoming the Zonal Co-ordinator, Zone A, ACG Saidu Yusuf to the Command.
He noted that since his assumption in office in April 2024 , he has embarked on familiarization tour to all formations of the Command and engaged with all stakeholders in the Free Zones and Port.
He said, “It is with great pleasure that i welcome the Zonal Coordinator, Zone ‘A’ and his entourage to the Headquarters of Lagos Free Trade Zone Command here in Ibeju-Lekki Lagos”.
The Command, according to him, “is still in its infancy as it is barely three years old and within this short period, it has been able to attract 13 Free Trade Zones in Lagos State including the Lekki Port”
Apart from this, he said, “from January to July 2024, the Command has generated the sum of N138,179,207,744.00 as revenue as against twenty eight billion naira generated same period last year, with surplus of N110, 161, 884,995.00k which is 393.4% increase in revenue collected last year. We are committed to improving on this performance”.
Besides, he said, “the turnout of the stakeholder engagement was impressive and we educated them more on the standard operating procedure (S.O.P) of Free Zones. The engagement also gave us the opportunity to discuss the advantages of the Free Zone and ways to make it more attractive for other investors to come in. We also addressed some concern issues and challenges faced by investors in the zones and port users”.
In his words: “We encouraged them on the importance of high level of compliance in Customs Clearance Processes and assured them of timely release of Cargo without compromising Federal Government Fiscal Policy. All of these have significantly assisted in our achievements so far”.
Comptroller Olanrewaju Olumoh, who urged his team to do their best to sustain the gains and achievements of the past, also said they have been upholding the core values of professionalism and integrity through the policy thrust of consolidation, innovation and collaboration which is in line with the vision of Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi.
He said they are quite optimistic that under his leadership, before the year runs out, they shall meet and possibly surpass their target.
Comptroller Olumoh, who stated that the officers of the Command are committed to ensuring that illicit and harmful items are neither imported nor exported through Lekki Port, also said, to achieve this ,the Command is working in synergy with sister security agencies in the Port.
He is quoted as saying that, “We have engaged in a robust inter agency collaborations with other sister agencies within the Command. Recently, we participated actively to supporting the NDLEA during their International Drug Free Walk Day, where I declared the event open. We also participated in the decoration ceremony of other agencies, amongst other frequent engagements”.
Comptroller Olanrewaju Olumoh, who requested ACG Yusuf to commission the newly constructed sick bay meant for officers to have easy access to health care services, also appealed to him to inform the Headquarters of the need for accomodation and Barracks for the Command.
He said, “in line with the CGC’s efforts to ensure Officers and men of the service maintains good health standards, we have opened a sick bay for officers and men of the Command for easy medical attention and first aid. I will respectfully request that the ACG officially commission the sick bay”.
Aside from the major concern that the Command do not have its own facility in this axis, he said the Command is housed and accommodated by the management of Lagos Free Zone and we do not want to stretch them further.
He however, disclosed that there is increase the number of officers and men posted to the Command and they do not have the facility to accommodate them.
In conclusion, he humbly requested the ACG to use his good offices to remind the Headquarters of the need for lease of temporary accommodation and procurement of land for permanent office and barracks accommodation for the Command.
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