The Nigeria Customs Service, Murtala Muhammed Airport Command (MMAC), has generated revenue to the tune of N80,351,299,068.00 between the period of January to June 2024.
The Customs Area Controller (CAC), Comptroller Michael Awe, during a press briefing at the command on Tuesday, 23 July 2024, said the revenue collected depicts a 107.5% increase.
In his words, “The Command from January to June 2024 was able to collect a total duty of Eighty Billion, Three hundred and Fifty-One Million, Two Hundred and Ninety-Nine Thousand and Sixty Eight Naira Only (N80,351,299,068.00) on Customs duty and other charges.”
“In comparison to the revenue collected in the same period in 2023, the revenue stood at Thirty-Eight Billion, Seven Hundred and Seven Million, Fifty-four Thousand, Two Hundred and Sixteen Naira, Forty Four Kobo only (N38,707,054,216.44). This clearly shows a progressive difference of Forty-One Billion, Six Hundred and Forty-Four Million, Two Hundred and Forty-Six Thousand, Eight Hundred and Fifty Naira, Fifty Six Kobo only (N41,644,246,851.56) depicting 107.5% increase”, the CAC explained.
According to Comptroller Awe, the difference recorded was made possible as a result of the resilience of officers in ensuring that agents were made to make proper declarations and to adhere strictly to import/export guidelines in tandem with extant laws.
On Anti-Smuggling, the CAC stated that officers and men of the command are not resting on their oars in enforcing government fiscal policies and trade regulations as seizures of illicit drugs, arms and ammunition, among other contraband items with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N6,064,987,480.27 were recorded.
“The command made the following seizures of 5 packages of 250mgs of Tramadol, 12 packages of 225mg of Tramadol, 1 package of fifty round 9mm live ammunition, 46 packages of dried sea cucumbers, 3 packages of dried donkey male genitals, 55 pieces of Jojef Tomahawk semi-automatic rifles.”
“These items were seized mainly because of various forms of infractions which range from false declarations, non-adherence to import/export guidelines and failure to comply with other extant regulations as enshrined in the Nigeria Customs Service Act (NCS Act) 2023”, he explained.
Speaking further, the CAC said the Command also recorded the export of goods worth N266,655,113.66K within the period under review, with an FOB value of $204,597.07.
The Customs Area Controller reiterated the Command’s commitment to sustain and improve upon revenue generation in the second half of 2024.
Comptroller Awe sought the continuous cooperation of all stakeholders and assured them of the Command’s commitment to promoting ease of doing business and trade facilitation.
He appreciated the Officers and Men of the Command for their dedication to the noble course of combating smuggling. He encouraged them to always adhere strictly to the rules of engagements while discharging their statutory duties.
