May 19, (THEWILL) – The Murtala Muhammed Airport Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) said it generated a total sum of twenty-one billion, three hundred and sixty-two million, seven hundred and fifty-two thousand, six hundred and seventy-six naira, forty-four kobo (₦21,362,752,676.44) as revenue in the first quarter of 2023.
Speaking on the revenue generated by the Command within the period under review, Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Mohammed Sanni Yusuf, said it is a progressive improvement of 21 percent over the performance of the corresponding year.
In a press conference held at Ikeja, on Wednesday, Yusuf said, “It is pertinent to note that in the corresponding period of 2022, the Command generated seventeen billion, five hundred and thirteen million, four hundred and fifty-seven thousand, eight hundred and sixty-nine naira, twenty kobo (₦17,513,457,869. 20). This shows a progressive difference of the sum of three billion, eight hundred and forty-nine million, two hundred and ninety-four thousand, eight hundred and seven naira, twenty-two kobo (₦3,849,294,807.22), depicting a 21.97% increase.
“It is worthy to note that the revenue activities of the Command comprise importation and exportation of legitimate goods; goods under the ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme (ETLS).”
On efforts of the NCS to suppress smuggling and promote the spirit of inter-departmental cooperation, he said the Command handed over a total seizure of twenty-three packages of pharmaceutical products to Murtala Muhammed International Airport Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
The seized items, according to Yusuf, include twenty-two packages of tramadol (225mg) and twelve packages of tramadol (120mg) tablets.
This, the Controller said, “will further strengthen the collaboration in safeguarding our youths from the use of harmful substances, which could endanger their lives and the environment.
“We shall intensify more efforts in making our communities a safer place for all of us to live.”
Comptroller Yusuf, who said the seizures were recorded based on intelligence-driven operations within the Lagos Airport, added that the total Duty Payable Value (DPV) of the seizures stands at one billion, seven hundred and ninety-two million, three hundred and fifty-two thousand, eight hundred and thirty-two naira, twenty-six Kobo (₦1,792,352,832.26).
On the area of export trade, Yusuf said goods worth one hundred million, nine hundred and the thirty-seven thousand, one hundred and seventy-two naira, twenty-six kobo ((₦100,937,172.26) were exported through the Lagos Airport within the period under review.
According to him, the exported goods include non-commercial and commercial foods items with a total weight of six hundred and fifty-three (653) tonnes and Free On Board (FOB) value of four billion, eight hundred and twelve million, seven hundred and eighty thousand, seven hundred and one thousand naira, sixty-nine kobo (₦4,812,780,701.69).
He, therefore, affirmed the commitment of the Command to work hard to promote export businesses to boost Forex earnings for the country.
Speaking about stakeholders’ engagement, the CAC said the Command has maintained an open-door policy and has resolved a lot of issues of common interest with concerned stakeholders.
He, however, used the forum to commend partners in the clearance value chain for their unwavering support even as he encouraged them to always brace up for emerging challenges as they work together to move the nation forward.
Anthony Awunor, is a business correspondent who holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Linguistics (UNILAG). He is also an alumnus of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria Kaduna State. He lives in Lagos.
