MMA Customs Rides High with N144b Revenue Collection in 10 Months, Records Remarkable Seizures

MMA Customs Rides High With N144b Revenue Collection in 10 Months

… Records Remarkable Seizures worth Billions of Naira

Comptroller MT Awe, Customs Area Controller (CAC), Murtala Mohammed Airport (MMA) Command, NCS

Year 2024 can be said to be a rewarding period for the diligent officers and men of Murtala Mohammed Airport Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) with the amazing records of unprecedented revenue collection and never before attained seizures, especially those that are inimical to the corporate existence of the nation’s polity.

With an un-matched collection of One Hundred and Forty-Four Billion, Two Hundred and Two Million, Five Hundred and Sixty-Six Thousand, Nine Hundred and Seventy Five Naira only (N144,202, 566, 975.00K) from customs duties and other charges within 10 months, (i.e January – October, 2024), the command is sure on a strong footing at achieving her revenue target for the year.

Comptroller Awe addressing the press

At the command’s recent press briefing on Wednesday November 20, 2024, the Customs Area Controller (CAC) in charge of Murtala Muhammed Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, Comptroller Michael Toyin Awe, under whose watch this remarkable feats were attained announced this unprecedented revenue growth during the period under review (i.e January to October 2024), where he said the Command generated revenue to the tune of One Hundred and Forty-Four Billion, Two Hundred and Two Million, Five Hundred and Sixty-Six Thousand, Nine Hundred and Seventy Five Naira only (N144,202, 566, 975.00K)  from customs duties and other charges.

The CAC further explained that, the achievement saw a significant increase when compared with the revenue collected in the same period in 2023, which stood at Seventy-four Billion, Two hundred and Eighty-six Million, Seven hundred and Seven Thousand, Four Hundred and Forty-three Naira only (N74,286,707,443.00K).

Some other DCs including DC in charge of Revenue, SM Wadinda (R) at the event

This according to him clearly showed a progressive difference of Sixty-Nine Billion, Nine Hundred and Fifteen Million, Eight Hundred and Fifty-Nine Thousand, Five Hundred and Thirty-One Naira Only (N69,915,859,531.00k), depicting 94% increase.

Similarly, the Command also performed creditably in the area of its anti-smuggling campaign against unwholesome activities of importers, exporters and their customs brokers, as the CAC disclosed quantum measure of offensive seizures recorded in Four months from July to October, 2024 which include unapproved military wares for atrocious reasons.

Comptroller MT Awe said that the efforts to combat illicit trade yielded impressive results, with total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of seized items amounting to Three Billion, Three hundred and Twenty-two million, Two hundred and thirty-nine thousand, Three hundred and Fifty-five Naira (N3,322,239,355.00K) only between July to October 2024.

He said that the seized items contravened some of the provisions of the extant laws as enshrined in the Nigeria Customs Service Act (NCS Act) 2023, and the items impounded include: 23 Pieces of Walkie Talkies; 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; and 1.5kg of Pangolin Scales; 0.2kg of Porcupine Pins

Deputy Comptroller JA Anani, DC Valuation, MMA Command at the event

Comptroller Awe however attributed these achievements to an enhanced trade facilitation mechanism undertaken by his led leadership, improved stakeholder compliance, effective law enforcement, strategic resource deployment, interagency collaboration, efficient cargo clearance and intelligent risk management strategies.

Furthermore, he stated 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 stakeholder engagements.

Moving forward, the CAC assured that the Command will enhance trade facilitation measures, strengthen anti-smuggling efforts, improve stakeholder engagement and leverage on technology for efficient operations.

Comptroller MT Awe in his closing remark, expressed appreciation to the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR and his management team for their unwavering support in carrying out official tasks effectively. Similarly, he hailed officers and men of the command for their hard work and dedication towards achieving the great feat.

Also, adequate recognition was given to stakeholders, including importers, exporters and clearing agents for their cooperation and compliance to extant laws, as well as applauding the media for their continuous support and partnership in disseminating information to the public.