The Port Terminal Multiservices Limited (PTML) Command of Nigeria Customs Service generated a total revenue of Forty Three Billion, Seven Hundred and Twenty One Million, Two Hundred and Fifteen Thousand, Seven Hundred and Seventy Six Naira, Seventy-Five kobo.N43,721,215,776.75 for the first quarter of 2023 as it also facilitated exports to the tune of N20,27 billion.
The command also recorded increase in the compliance level of importers, exporters and licensed Customs agents following sustained sensitization embarked on by the controller of the command, Comptroller AM Ibrahim.
According to a press statement issued by the Public Relations Officer of the command, CSC Yakubu Muhammad, the month by month break down of the collection showed improvement in March 2023 above the figures of January and February generated by the Command, this year. In January, the command collected N14,748,081,466.31; February collection was a total of N13,129,893,878.68 while March collection was N15,843,240,431.76
Comptroller Ibrahim had expressed optimism at a recent meeting with senior officers of the command that there would be steady improvement in latter parts of the year with strategies put in place.
The controller stressed that there is a conscious drive to continually block suspected areas of revenue leakages while enlisting more support of all government agencies and private sector operators in ensuring high level of compliance.
He commended the officers for their application of knowledge acquired through training and experience in detecting some areas of revenue shortfalls for which demand notices were issued to recover N477.8m between January and March 2023.
On anti-smuggling, the Customs boss disclosed that the command made two seizures worth N10,487,800 (DPV) when it intercepted and seized 2x40ft containers marked ACLU9664782 and ACLU9715690 laden with 2,598 pieces of used motor tyres; 18 pieces of used washing machines and fridges, used mattresses and other used household items.
On export, he said that a total of 1,932 containers were processed through PTML in the period under review weighing a total tonnage of 38,137.66 with free on board (FOB) value of $48,006,020.41 which is equivalent to N20,272,942,419.14 at exchange rate of N422.3 to $1.
Items exported through the command include cocoa beans, sesame seeds, hibiscus flower, dried ginger, noodles, beverages, cosmetics and others.
It’s worth the while to note that under Comptroller Ibrahim, the command achieved a major milestone by obtaining access to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Trade Monitoring System (TRMS) portal. This online access now makes inspection of declaration easier and faster.
“For trade facilitation, since the command deals more on Roll on Roll off (vehicular) cargoes, it became imperative to assist in removing some traffic obstacles on the port access route.There is a remarkable improvement in the conduct of examination by officers, hence, preserving the record 4-hour clearance time of vehicles for compliant declarants.The well-being of officers on duty has also received a boost with the establishment of a fully equipped clinic to address health matters at work,” the statement stated.
The area controller was reported to have thanked the Comptroller General, Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali, CFR for his unwavering support, mentoring examples and motivation which contribute to the progress of PTML.
