Story by Dili Utomi.
Activities at the Murtala Muhammed Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service with Comptroller Michael Toyin Awe at the helms have continued in a steady progression.
The Customs Area Controller held a press briefing this afternoon to showcase the extent at which the Command has built on the achievements of the previous year both in the area of revenue generation and in anti-smuggling activities.
Comptroller Awe detailed that “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 which include 7.5% VAT and 5% ECOWAS levy”.
In comparison to the revenue collected 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) which 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 One Naira, Fifty Six Kobo only (N41,644,246,851.56) depicting 107.5% increase.
The CAC noted that “The Command also recorded export of goods with Export Value worth Two Hundred and Sixty Six Million, Six Hundred and Fifty Five Thousand, One Hundred and Thirteen Naira, Sixty Six Kobo only (N266,655,113.66K) from the country from January to June, 2024 with an FOB value of Two Hundred and Four Thousand, Five Hundred and Ninety Seven Dollars, Seven Cents ($204,597.07)”.
Comptroller Awe said that the Command fully keys into the policies of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi and that they are consolidating on all other strategies of thorough examination and better stakeholders engagement which gave rise to the extra revenue over the corresponding year.
He added that “We are working assiduously to see that the cartels are stopped, their backs broken and they be brought to book. They have no place to hide”. He aslo revealed that “Most of the consignments are usually transfered with the arrested suspects to relevant agencies and we do not prosecute the suspects ourselves”.
He reiterated the Command’s commitment to sustain and improve upon revenue generation in the second half of 2024 and sought the continuous cooperation of all stakeholders and assured them of the Command’s commitment to promoting ease of doing business and trade facilitation.
The Controller appreciated Officers and Men of Murtala Muhammed Area Command for their dedication to the noble course of combating smuggling and implored them to always adhere strictly to the rules of engagements while discharging their statutory duties.
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