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By Steve Agbota
The Port Terminal Multiservices Limited (PTML) Command of Nigeria Customs Service collected a total of N43.721 billion in revenue in the first quarter of 2023.
The Command also recorded increase in the compliance level of importers, exporters and licensed Customs agents following sustained sensitisation embarked on by Comptroller AM Ibrahim, the Customs Area Controller (CAC).
The month by month break down of the collection of the collection showed improvement in March 2023 above the figures of January and February recorded this year.
In January, the command collected N14.748 billion and in February it collected a total of N13.129 billion while March, its total collections rose to N15.843 billion.
Comptroller Ibrahim of the Command at a recent meeting, expressed optimism that there will be steady improvement in latter part of the year with strategies put in place.
The 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.
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 N477.8 million between January and March 2023
On anti-smuggling, he said the Command made two seizures worth N10,l.487 million in Duty Paid Value (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 drive, the Comptroller 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 million which is equivalent to N20.272 billion at exchange rate of N422.3 to $1.
According to him, export items through the command include cocoa beans, sesame seeds, hibiscus flower, dried ginger, noodles, beverages, cosmetics and others.
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,” he said.
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.
