Things are really looking up at the Murtala Muhammed Airport Command since the coming of Comptroller Sani Muhammed Yusuf – a Revenue Officer, as the Command rakes in more than N21.3 billion in the first quarter of this year.
Briefing Newsmen in Lagos today, he said this is a marked difference from the more than N17.5 it generated in same period of last year. “This shows a progressive difference of three billion, eight hundred and forty-nine million, two hundred and ninety-four thousand, eight hundred and seven naira, twenty-two kobo, depicting a 21.97 per cent increase.”
The Customs Area Controller disclosed that the revenue activities of the Command comprises of importation and exportation of legitimate trade. In terms of suppression of smuggling, he disclosed that the command made a seizure of 23 packages of pharmaceutical products which include 22 packages of tramadol (225 mg), 12 packages of tramadol (120 mg) tablets with Duty Paid Value (DPV) standing at one billion, seven hundred and ninety-two million, three hundred and fifty-two thousand, eight hundred and thirty-two naira , twenty six kobo (N1, 792,352,832.26k). The drugs were also handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA)
The command also made an in-road in its export trading activities in the period under consideration, with goods worth one hundred million, nine hundred and thirty-seven thousand, one hundred and seventy-two naira, twenty six kobo (N100,937,172.26k). The exported goods include; non-commercial and commercial goods with Free-On-Board (FOB) value of four billion. Eight hundred and twelve million, seven hundred and eight thousand, seven hundred and one thousand naira, sixty-nine kobo (N4,812,780,701.69K)
The Area Controller pointed out that the command has maintained an open-door policy and has resolved a lot of issues of common interest with concerned stakeholders. Compt Yusuf appreciated the command’s esteemed partners in the clearance value chain “for their unwavering support while charging them to embrace up to the emerging challenges as we work together to move the nation forward”.
He commended the Comptroller-General of the Customs Col. Hameed Ali (rtd) CFR and his management for always giving the necessary support towards discharging their responsibilities effectively. Yusuf did not fail to speak in glowing terms about his officers and men for their steadfastness, dedication and commitment to discharging their assigned responsibilities.
“We must appreciate our critical stakeholders such as the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), the NAGAFF, NAHCO, SAHCO and other security agencies as well as gentlemen of the fourth estate who are showing concern and collaborating with the Service.
According to him, the command will step up its guard towards sustaining and surpassing its monthly targets so as to overshoot its yearly revenue target.