The Port Terminal Multiservices Limited (PTML) Command of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) says it generated ₦66,920,181,586.30 as total revenue for the first quarter of 2024.
This was made known in a statement issued by the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of PTML Command, CSC Muhammad Yakubu on Saturday.
According to the statement, the current revenue is ₦22,198,965,809.55 higher than ₦44,721,215,776.75 collected between January and March 2023, indicating 49.6 percent increase.
Customs Area Controller (CAC) of the command, Comptroller Saidu Abba Yusuf described the increase in revenue collection as a laudable feat, stating that the command is more committed towards trade facilitation and support government drive for ease of doing business.
Comptroller Yusuf thanked the Comptroller General of Customs, CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniyi for initiating strategies to achieve faster cargo clearance.
He reiterated that PTML Command under CGC Adewale’s watch aims to surpass its record of three hours cargo clearance for compliant traders.
Yusuf stressed that the launching of time release study (TRS) which is ongoing and other deliberate efforts by the Comptroller General have contributed in the expansion of terminal space and promoting ease of doing business in PTML.
The CAC also disclosed that the PTML command has potentials to achieve two hours cargo clearance and surpass its existing three hours record if port users compliance level is improved upon.
He described PTML as one of the safest and most secure environment for RoRo (Roll On Roll Off) and general cargoes.
Comptroller Yusuf also advised importers and their agents to take advantage of the incentives available for compliant traders such as fast track, advance ruling and possible migration to the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) status.
He reminded port users in PTML of the robust and time conscious dispute resolution mechanism, which has contributed immensely to the revenue collection, trade facilitation and anti-smuggling functions of the command.
While commending the various government and private sector stakeholders for their cooperation and support towards realisation of government goal of revenue collection and prevention of unlawful activities, Comptroller Yusuf expressed optimism that the command will surpass its annual target for the year.
The CAC described the importation of vehicles meant for Nigerian roads into neighbouring countries with intent to smuggle them through unapproved roads into Nigeria as unpatriotic and act of economic sabotage – and emphasised that the command has the capacity for seamless and efficient processing of such automobile cargoes.
He charged the officers of the command to maximally deploy available technology and rededicate themselves to the job in order to achieve more in the second quarter and first half of the year.
Comptroller Yusuf warned the port users that there is increased anti-smuggling vigilance to uncover concealment such as under declaration and smuggling of prohibited items.
He equally said that any discovered infraction will lead to full evoking of the Nigeria Customs Service Act (NCSA), adding that there are spelt-out penalties.
