MM Customs Command generates #144. 2 billion in 10 Months

MM Customs Command generates #144. 2 billion in 10 Months.

By Joe Njoku,
Global Freight News.

The Murtala Mohammed Customs Area Command has generated a total sum of One Hundred and Forty Four Billion, Two Hundred and Twenty Two Million, Give Hundred and Sixty-six Thousand, Nine Hundred and Seventy Five Naira only (#144,202,566,975.00k) from customs duties and other charges between January to October 2024.

In the same period of 2023, the command generated Seventy-four billion, Two Hundred and Eighty six million, Seven Hundred and seven thousand, Four Hundred and Forty-three Naira only (#74,286,707,443.00) which shows a progressive difference of Six-nine Billion, Nine Hundred and Fifteen Million, Eight Hundred and Fifty-nine Thousand, Five Hundred and Thirty-one Naira only (#69, 915, 859.531.00) depicting 94% increase.

The Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Michael Toyin Awe said that efforts to combat illicit trade yielded impressive result with total Duty Paid Value
(DPV) of seized items amounting to Three Billion, Two Hundred and Thirty-nine thousand, Three Hundred and Fifty-five Naira (#3,322, 239,355.00) only between the period under review. The seized items contravened some of the provisions of the extant laws as enshrined in the Nigeria Customs Service Act (NCS Act) 2023. The items include;
23 pieces of Walkie Talkie, 175 pieces of Military Helmets, 50 pieces of Drones, 10 packs of Canadian Cannabis Sativa, 250 pieces of live Turtles, 7 Packages of 200mg &225mg of Tramadol Hydrochloride, 1.5 kg of Pangolin Scales, 0.2 kg of Porcupine Pins.

Compt. Awe said that the achievements added to enhance trade facilitation, improved stakeholders compliance, effective law enforcement, resource deployment,
interagency collaboration, efficient cargo clearance and intelligent risk management strategies.

Awe said that to boost revenue collection, facilitate legitimate trade and curb smuggling, the command implemented initiatives such as streamlined clearance procedures, enhanced cargo inspection and examination, improved intelligence gathering and sharing, collaboration with other security agencies and regular stakeholders engagement.

He therefore, assured that moving forward, the command will enhance trade facilitation measures, strengthen Anti-smuggling efforts, improve stakeholders engagement and leverage on technology for efficient operations.

However, he expressed gratitude to the CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR and His Management Team for their unwavering support in carrying out official task effectively.
He also praised his officers and men of the command for their dedication to duty towards achieving the great feat.
He recognised the stakeholders, including the importers, exporters and the clearing agents for their cooperation and compliance to extant laws. In the vein, he applauded the media for their continuous support and partnership in disseminating information to the public