The Port Terminal Multiservices Limited (PTML) Command of the Nigeria Custom Service collected a whopping sum of two hundred and fifty six billion, three hundred million, two hundred and ninety-five thousand, one hundred and forty-one naira, sixty-seven kobo (256,300,295,141.67) as revenue for 2023 even as it handled exports totalling N49,987,000,875.15.
Speaking on the command’s performance in 2023, the Area Controller, Comptroller Saidu Abba Yusuf, disclosed that the 2023 collection is a twelve per cent increase compared to the revenue recorded for the same period in 2022 which stood at two hundred and twenty-nine billion, four hundred and seventy-three million, nine hundred and twelve thousand, nine hundred and seventy-six naira and ninety-seven kobo
(N229,473,912,976.97).
The increase in monetary terms is valued at twenty-six billion, eight hundred and eighty-nine million, three hundred and eighty-two thousand, one hundred and sixty-five naira (N26,889,382,165).
The controller stated that aside the revenue generated in the year 2023, the Command handled export goods with a total tonnage of about One hundred and fiftynine thousand, three hundred and fourteen point twenty-three (159,314.23) metric tons, with a total Free on Board (FOB) value of Forty-nine billion, nine hundred and eighty million, eight hundred and sixty-five thousand, eight hundred and seventy-five naira, fifteen kobo (N49,987,000,875.15).
According to him, in its fight against smuggling, the Command was able to seize the following:
(i). Ix40ft container no: ACLU9715690 containing used household items such as used mattresses, used chairs, used tyres and used electronics falsely declared as three used vehicles.
(ii). Ix40ft container no: ACLU9715690 found to conceal 2,958 pieces of used tyres and used fridges, falsely declared as two vehicles and used household items.
(iii). Ix40ft container no: ACLU9680248 found to conceal Ten (10) fire arms, Three (3) Empty Magazines, and 442 rounds of live ammunition. Other items include 140 bags of foreign parboiled rice, Three (3) used vehicles and used household items.
(iv). 2x20ft containers found to conceal expired Tomato concentrates.
(v). Ix40ft container no:GCNU4720167 extracted Three (3) cartons of Co-codamol.
He noted that a total of five suspects were arrested in connection with the seizures and have been granted administrative bail.
The seizures, he declared, has a total duty paid value (DPV) of One hundred and fifty-eight million, four hundred and three thousand, five hundred and forty -eight naira, seventy-three kobo.
The controller maintained that the command was also able to sustain its average of three-hour clearance time of vehicle for compliant traders thus solidifying stakeholders relationship with the Service
Speaking on stakeholders engagement, Yusuf said; “We have effectively functioned as the lead agency towards “ease of doing business” in the port. This has greatly contributed to the efficiency in service delivery. Regular meetings were held with
our critical stakeholders where issues affecting various segment of the supply chain were well discussed and solutions proffered.
“Furthermore, the forum served as a platform through which compliance was being preached and feedback received. Through these engagement we shared ideas and pursued government objectives without compromising our respective mandates as enshrined in our enabling laws. We met to share intelligence, prevent and detect crimes in the national interest and on our part as NCS we prevented revenue loss.”
The controller appreciated the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, and his entire management team for the support the Command has enjoyed from their inspiring leadership.
PHOTO: PTML Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Saidu Abba Yusuf.