The Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos Command of Nigeria Custom Service said it made its first revenue collection breakthrough Post Covid-19 era at Murtala Muhammed International Airport with the collection of the total sum of one billion, six hundred and eight million, nine hundred and thirty six thousand, six hundred and seventy three naira and ninety five kobo (#1,608,936,673.95) as revenue the month of October 2022.
A statement issued on behalf of the Customs Area Controller (CAC), Comptroller Mahmud M Gidado by the Command’s Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the command, Destiny Tomo, a Superintendent of Custom (SC) stated that the sum of nine hundred and eighty two million, six hundred and forty five thousand, two hundred and eighty naira (#982,645,280.00) was revenue collected from import duty.
“This is a remarkable revenue collection after the COVID 19 lock down that placed restrictions on travellers and drop in importation coupled with the rising cost of foreign currencies against the naira.
“We are delighted to announce to you our activities of the preceding Month (October, 2022). The Nigeria Customs Service, MMIA Command recorded success in revenue collection and trade facilitation as there were no incidences of smuggling activities through the airport within the period of this report. Since the deployment of Customs Area Controllers and resumption on August 15, 2022, the Command has been successful in the core values of the Service which includes Suppression of Smuggling, Revenue collection and trade facilitation,” the statement said.
On revenue collection, the Controller said, “There has been a gradual increase in the revenue collection drive of the Command. To be specific, in the October review, we collected the total sum of one billion, six hundred and eight million, nine hundred and thirty six thousand, six hundred and seventy three naira and ninety five kobo (#1,608,936,673.95) of which the sum of nine hundred and eighty two million, six hundred and forty five thousand, two hundred and eighty naira (#982,645,280.00) was revenue collected from import duty. This is a remarkable revenue collection after the COVID 19 lock down that placed restrictions on travelers and drop in importation coupled with the inflation on exchange rate.
The statement which was made available to African Business Travel News ( ABTN) added, “The Command also facilitated the formal export of locally manufactured goods although in low volume due to the peculiarity of the Command as airport terminals to the tune of one million, nine hundred and thirty five thousand, one hundred and sixty nine naira (#1,935,169.00).
The command affirmed that it was able to achieve the feat through diligence and applications of extant laws.
“This achievement was through due diligence with the application of extant laws such as Sections 72 and 145 of the Customs and Excise Management Act CAP C45 Law of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 2004 (CEMA CAP C45 LFR 2004).”
The command which promised travellers more friendly clearance procedure however called for voluntary declarations by travellers even as it vowed that it would continue to pursue its mandated trade facilitation, revenue collection and suppression of smuggling at the terminals of the Lagos gateway Airport.
“As a matter of fact, we shall continue to pursue our given mandate of trade facilitation and collection of revenue as well as suppressing smuggling within our jurisdiction, while ensuring an efficient and friendlier traveler clearance procedure ahead of the year end festive season. Once again, we assure all voluntary compliance persons a good travel experience in the clearance of their shipment,” the statement declared.
