MM Area Customs Command records higher revenue and lower cargo clearance time in six months

MM Area Customs Command records higher revenue and lower cargo clearance time in six months

By prince Benson Davies

The Murtala Muhammed Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), under the leadership of Comptroller Michael Toyin Awe, has continued to build on the achievements of the previous year, both in revenue generation and anti-smuggling activities.
Since his assumption as the Customs Area Controller, he has continued to bring up strategies in line with World Customs best practices that have aided the ease of doing business, trade facilitation, a reduction in cargo clearance time and increase in revenue generation.
Between January and June 2024, the Command collected a total duty of N80.351 billion on customs duty and other sundry charges.
 In comparison to the revenue collected in the same period in 2023, the revenue stood at N38.707 billion, a difference of N41.644 billion, amounting to 107.5 percent increase.
The Command also recorded export of goods valued at N266.655 million from the country from January to June 2024, with a Free on Board (FoB) value of $204.597 million.
Controller Awe, who restated the Command’s commitment to sustain and improve upon revenue generation in the second half of 2024, solicited 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 the Murtala Muhammed Area Command for their dedication to the noble cause of combating smuggling and implored them to always adhere strictly to the rules of engagements while discharging their statutory duties.
He also commended the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi and his management team for always giving the Command the leverage to perform, critical stakeholders, and security agencies that show concern and collaborate with the service for their continuous support, while appreciating the press for their objective reportage.