The Ports Terminal Multiservices Limited Command of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has achieved 12 percent increase in revenue in 2023 which amounts to N256.3 billion surpassing 2022 revenue of N229.4 billion and maintaining it’s record three hour clearance time for compliant cargoes.
The command also made seizures worth N158.4 million in 2023 as disclosed in an official document issued in Lagos
In a press release, Public Relations Officer, PTML Command, Mohammad Yakubu disclosed that the Customs Area Controller of the Command, Saidu Abba Yusuf said 2023 was a successful year for the Command considering its accomplishment in discharging the service core mandates of revenue generation, facilitation of legitimate trade, anti-smuggling activities and ensuring of national security.
Yakubu disclosed that the Command handled export goods with a total tonnage of about 159.314.23 metric tons with a total Free on Board (FOB) of value of N49.9 billion in 2023.
He revealed that as a result of diligent hundred percent cargo examination and deployment of intelligence, the Command uncovered attempts to smuggle arms and ammunition, expired Tomato Concentrates, used tyres and used fridges into the country.
He said ” A breakdown of the seizures include: 1Ć40ft container no: ACLU9715690 containing used household items such as used mattresses, used chairs, used tyres and electronics falsely declared as three used vehicles, 1Ć40ft container no: ACLU9715690 found to conceal 2,958 pieces of used tyres and used fridges, falsely declared as two vehicles and used household items, 1Ć40ft container no: ACLU9680248 found to conceal ten firearms, three empty magazines and 442 rounds of live ammunition.Other items include 140 bags of foreign parboiled rice, three used vehicles and used household items, 2Ć20ft containers found to conceal expired Tomato Concentrates, 1Ć40ft container no: GCNU4720167 extracted three cartons of co-codamol.Total Duty Paid Value (DPV) N158.4 million”.
” A total of five suspects were arrested in connection with these seizures and have been granted administrative bail”.
Yakubu explained that the PTML Command Controller personally monitored transactions and interventions by the various units daily to sustain the Command’s standard of ease of doing business and trade facilitation.
He added that the Command has continued to maintain a cordial relationship with various government agencies like NDLEA, NAFDAC, SON, NPA, NESREA, NAQS, and others.He said the forum served as a platform through which compliance is preached and feedback is received.
” Within the period under review, the Command sustained its average of three hour clearance time of vehicle for compliant traders.An efficient and accessible dispute resolution commitee has been put in place to regularly brief the Customs Area Controller with a view to quickly resolving all trade disputes.The commitee contributed immensely to the success recorded during the year under review”.
” 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 segments of the supply chain were well discussed and solutions proffered”.
” Through these engagements,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 PRO of the Command affirmed that the Customs Area Controller, on behalf of the officers and men of the Command expressed deep appreciation to the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR and his entire management for the support they have enjoyed from his inspiring leadership which gives them direction and guides them on the path of productivity.
