…As MMA Comptroller Says Customs Surpasses Monthly Revenue Target
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) collected N18.2 billion in revenues at its Oyo/Osun Area Command in the first quarter of 2024.
It also seized smuggled goods with payable duties of N2.1 billion during the period, its Area Controller, Dr Ben Oramalugo, said in Ibadan on Wednesday.
Oramalugo told newsmen that the command recorded significant successes in intercepting smuggled goods during the period under review.
“In collaboration with other law enforcement agencies, enhanced border surveillance and the use of advanced technology, we seized narcotics, foreign parboiled rice, petrol, second-hand clothing and used tyres.
“Between March 1 and April 16, we seized 982 (50kg) bags of foreign rice, 254 pieces of used tyres, 12 sacks and 40 wraps of Indian hemp and 494 (25-litre) kegs of petrol.
“We also seized 27 bales of African textiles, 20 packs of tramadol and one pack of Diazepam tablets among others.
“These interceptions underscore our commitment to thwart the smuggling of prohibited items into our communities thereby upholding the integrity of our borders, safeguarding public health and national interests,’’ he said.
He noted that the command had zero tolerance for contraband goods and assured that it would not allow those in the illegal business to thrive.
Oramalugo also handed over fake pharmaceutical products worth N1.7 billion seized by the command to the National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
Receiving the fake pharmaceuticals, NAFDAC Southwest Coordinator, Mrs Roseline Ajayi, appreciated the Customs Service for collaborating with the agency in fighting the distribution and sale of fake drugs.
Ajayi noted that the Customs Service was more empowered at the borders than NAFDAC to tackle fake drug importation.
She observed that some of the seized pharmaceutical products had fake NAFDAC numbers and would be subjected to laboratory analyses as a precursor to their destruction.
In another development, the outgoing Customs Area Controller, (CAC), Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA) Command, Comptroller Muhammed Yusuf, said that the command surpassed its revenue target for the first quarter of the year.
Yusuf disclosed during his official handing over to the new comptroller of the command in Lagos on Wednesday.
He said the command had consistently surpassed its monthly revenue target of N12 billion in the first quarter of the year under his stewardship.
From L-R- The Deputy Comptroller, Revenue- Nyitamen Iortyer, DC NACHO, FB Oladepo, the New CAC of the command, Comptroller Michael Awe, and the outgoing Customs Area Controller, (CAC), Muritala Muhammed Airport Command, Comptroller Muhammed Yusuf, during the official handing over ceremony in Lagos on Wednesday.
“We were given N12 billion monthly target in 2024, but with the support of my dedicated officers, we are generating more than the slated target.
“We generated over N14 billion in January and February, while we generated over N16 billion in March.
“I always attribute my success to God because for one to be a good problem solver, you have to be a good listener.
He urged the officer to extend his commitment to the new incoming comptroller to enable customs to surpass the revenue target for the federal government.
Yusuf commended the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, for giving him the opportunity to serve his father’s land.
He also advised the comptroller to have a listening ear and to always encourage the contributions of all officers.
He commended the media as well as the stakeholders for their support, which he said contributed to his success, adding that he prayed to hear good testimony after leaving the command.
In his acceptance message, the new CAC of the command, Comptroller Michael Awe, commended the outgoing CAC for being a team player.
Awe said that he would follow in his footsteps and work hard to ensure he surpasses the revenue target of the command.
He said he appreciated the outgone CAC tenacity and peaceful coexistence with officers as well as the stakeholders, adding that he built on the existing structure.
Awe urged officers to always operate within the guidelines and procedures of customs to enable them to excel in their operation.
The Deputy Comptroller, Revenue, Nyitamen Iortyer, described Comptroller Yusuf as an understanding boss, adding that his commitment improved the revenue collected in the command.
Iortyer said that in 2023, the command had the highest revenue collected in 2023, which was the highest revenue collected in the history of the command since inception.
He said that despite the economic crisis, the command was able to surpass the monthly target continuously from January to March.
Assistant Comptroller of Customs in the command, Mrs CA Nwanchukwu, described Yusuf as a good and supportive boss to work with.
She said the comptroller supported her in-tuning her and writing up a book published and made available to the customs library.
Nwanchukwu described Yusuf as a peacemaker and a team player.
She also wished the new comptroller a successful tenure as she pledged on behalf of officers to double the support given to the former comptroller.
