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The Port Terminal Multiservices Limited (PTML) Command of Nigeria Customs Service has targeted two-hour cargo clearance time for complaint traders as part of efforts to boost trade facilitation.
This is even as the Command collected N66.920 billion as total revenue for first quarter of 2024, which is N22.198 billion higher than N44.721 billion collected between January and March 2023 representing 49.6 per cent increase.
However, Customs Area Controller (CAC) of the command, Saidu Yusuf, who described the increase in revenue collection as a laudable feat, said the command is more committed towards trade facilitation and support of the government’s drive for ease of doing business.
While thanking the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, for initiating strategies to achieve faster cargo clearance, Yusuf reiterated that PTML Command under his watch, aims to surpass its record of three-hour cargo clearance for compliant traders.
According to him, the launching of Time Release Study (TRS), which is ongoing and other efforts by the Comptroller General have contributed to 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-hour cargo clearance and surpass its existing three hours record if port users compliance level is improved upon.
Yusuf who described PTML as one of the safest and most secure environment for RoRo (Roll On Roll Off) and general cargoes 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 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’s goal of revenue collection and prevention of unlawful activities, Yusuf expressed optimism that the command will surpass it’s annual target for the year.
He described the importation of vehicles meant for Nigerian roads into neighboring countries with intent to smuggle them through unapproved roads into Nigeria as unpatriotic and an act of economic sabotage as the command has the capacity for seamless and efficient processing of such automobile cargoes.
For the second quarter and first half of the year, the CAC enjoined officers of the command to maximally deploy available technology and rededicate themselves to the job to achieve more.
He reminded the port users that there is increased anti smuggling vigilance to uncover concealment such as under declaration and smuggling of prohibited items.
The CAC added that any discovered infraction would lead to full evoking of the Nigeria Customs Service Act (NCSA), where there are spelt-out penalties.
