The Lilypond Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has recorded a total amount of $937,357,129.90 in value of cargo shipment in the third quarter of 2024, compared to $184,880,029.35 recorded in the second quarter, which translates to a substantial increase of 407.05%.

The Command also disclosed that the tonnage of exported goods also surged by 368.02% from 86,783.93 metric tons to 405,979.72 metric tons, which reflects the significant scaling up of export processing capacity at the Command.

The Controller of the, Comptroller Ajibola Odusanya, disclosed this to newsmen in his office during a courtesy visit to his office by the Publisher of Great Achiever Magazine, Yomi Ogunsanu.

Odusanya said the substantial rise can be attributed to the enhanced efficiency following the consolidation of export seats at the Lilypond Export Command (LEXC).

The Comptroller explained that Lillypond has been contributing to the growth and development of the country since 2022, especially in the exportation of goods, attributing the performance to enforcement of Custom regulations.

He also debunked the rumor of collecting $35,000 for export processing fees, noting nothing of such has ever happened at the command except for necessary duty.

Meanwhile, Comptroller Odusanya noted that the consolidation of export seats at all Lagos ports into Lilypond Export Command has clearly yielded significant gains, reflecting in the impressive increases across key export metrics.

He said the primary benefit was the elimination of bureaucratic bottlenecks that previously hindered smooth export processes, adding that the centralization of export operations has allowed for faster processing times for export documentation, improved compliance with NCS guidelines and regulations, higher revenue collection, and a more transparent and traceable export value chain.

Odusanya explained that the command deals with exportation of agricultural products such as cashew nuts, cassia seeds, sesame seeds, Gum Arabic, Hibiscus flower, Cotton, Tigernut, Ginger, Rubber, Soybean, and Charcoal.

On the exportation of manufactured goods, the controller e said the command exports solid minerals, foods and beverages, Empty bottles, Lithium ore, Aluminum ore, Iron Ore, manganese, zinc, amongst others.

The Area Controller said: "Nigerian Export Supervision Scheme (NESS) revenue collection recorded an extraordinary growth of 733.22%, climbing from N640, 198,812.18 to N5, 333,343,692.86.

"This growth highlights the consolidation's positive impact on revenue generation through improved tracking and proper documentation of export activities.

"The duty paid on exports of previously imported goods increased by 359.12%, from N29, 626,178.00 to N136, 042,360.00.

"Our command deals with only exports; exports that are sea-bound. Any export that is meant to be loaded in the container before leaving the country must be processed in our command, we are not revenue generation but trade facilitation"

"Within April and June 2024, the command processed 2,488 containers with duty paid value of about $184 million.

"With the wisdom of the Customs Management and in collaboration with the Nigerian Ports Authority, and instructions from the Presidency that we should make efforts of one structure command where everything that has to do with export will take place, since that time, this command has been recognized as the only export command.

"This can be linked to the improved enforcement of customs regulations post-consolidation", Odusanya concluded.

Odusanya, while appreciating other government regulatory agencies for their collaboration in ensuring an efficient and effective export clearing procedure, said their roles in aligning with the trade facilitation initiatives of the Nigeria Customs Service has been vital in achieving these results.

He assured that the LEXC is better equipped, motivated, and determined to foster a safe and profitable environment for all categories of exporters, saying that "we are committed to continuously improving the export value chain, and assure the public that these reforms will further enhance Nigeria's competitiveness in the global export market".

In his remarks during the courtesy visit, Ogunsanu appealed to the Federal Government to urgently rehabilitate the roads leading to Lilypond Export Command in Ijora-Lagos, noting that the bad state of the roads can affect ease of doing business in the command if not attended to.

The Publisher, while commending Comptroller Odusanya and his team for the good works they are doing at the command, called for removal of administrative bottlenecks that can hinder export processing.