By Olubunmi ISIOPHKE
In line with the three point agenda of the Comptroller General of Customs, Hameed Ali, and in accordance with global operational standards, the Ports and Terminal Multiservices Limited (PTML) Command of Nigeria Customs Service has raked in 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.
This information was contained in a statement issued and signed by the Command Public Relations Officer, chief supreintendent Yakubu Muhammad and made available to GLOBAL RAYS Media.
The statement reads in part: “The Command also recorded increase in the compliance level of importers, exporters and licensed customs agents following sustained sensitization embarked on by Comptroller AM Ibrahim, the Customs Area Controller (CAC).”
It added, “A 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
Addressing senior officers of the Command at a recent meeting, Comptroller Ibrahim expressed optimism that there will be steady improvement in latter parts of the year with strategies put in place.”
In his remarks, the Customs Area Controller, CAC, said. “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.”
Adding, “I commend the officers and men 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 operations, the CAC, asserted, “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 promotion, Compt. Ibrahim Ali, said, “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
Export items through the command include cocoa beans, sesame seeds, hibiscus flower, dried ginger, noodles, beverages, cosmetics and others.”
With the proactive and results driven strategies initiated by 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.
On trade facilitation, Compt. Ibrahim posited, “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.”
He added, “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.”
However, the CAC thanked the Comptroller General, Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali, CFR for his unwavering support, mentoring examples and motivation which contribute to the progress of PTML Command
