By Okey IROEGBU
The Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Command of Nigeria Customs Service in line with its core mandate to generate more revenue has exceeded its revenue target for the year 2023, collecting a total of N30,503,507,399.09 from 1 January to 31 December 2023—surpassing the set target of N29,148,944,769.82.This was disclosed by the Customs Area Controller, CAC, Comptroller Charles Orbih during a press briefing at the command on Friday, January 5, 2024. At the briefing, Comptroller Orbih, said, “There’s a 5% surpassing of the revenue target for the year 2023 and a consecutive monthly surpassing of targets from September to December 2023.“In December 2023 alone, the Command collected an unprecedented sum of N4,768,922,080.68.“The Command made 125 seizures with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N801,561,962.00 during the period under review. Seized items include $10,000 counterfeit notes handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), $8,800 concealed in an album, 89 seized drones, and 66 detained drones.”“Other seized items consist of 330 military and security wares, 700 rolls of cigarettes, 126 walkie-talkies with accessories, 87 artifacts and antiquities, 22 elephant tusks, 300 pairs of ladies’ footwear, 2 bags of precious stones, and other items.”Finally the statement reaching this media had the following statements in part. “Since my assumption of office in the Command, it is worthy to note that the Command has consecutively surpassed its monthly target from the month of September to December 2023 as represented in the total revenue collected within the period under review. At this juncture, ladies and gentlemen, permit me to state that it is the first time in the annals of this Command that in the month of December 2023, the Command collected an unprecedented sum of Four Billion, Seven Hundred and Sixty Eight Million, Nine Hundred and Twenty Two Thousand, Eighty Naira and Sixty Eight Kobo only (N4,768,922,080.68). This could be attributed to the doggedness of the officers of the Command towards achieving set goals and objectives.“The commitment and diligence of the officers and men of the Command and other Units including the Valuation Unit, Customs Intelligence Unit (CIU) and the Customs Police enabled seamless operation of carrying out these enormous tasks.”“I will like to appreciate the Comptroller General of Customs (CGC), BA Adeniyi Psc(+) MFR and his management team for creating an enabling environment for the Command to actualize its core mandate of generating maximum revenue, suppression of smuggling, facilitating legitimate trade and national security. The Command will not rest on its oars in this New Year 2024 by improving on its operations and facilitating legitimate trade while not compromising the security of the country. It is also important to appreciate the synergy that exist between us and other Government Agencies working in the airport. The cooperation has indeed boosted and helped in achieving our core mandate thereby strengthening our mode of operations.“Going forward, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, the Command will continue to discharge its duties and responsibilities as enshrined in the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023. Any would-be economic saboteur trying to bring unwholesome or restricted items into the country through the International Airport will be apprehended and made to face the full wrath of the law. They are hereby advised to explore the opportunities opened by the Federal Government to engage in legitimate trade. No stone will be left unturned to achieve this daunting task as we progress into the New Year 2024,” he concluded.
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