Amidst cashless policy that affects economy so badly in Nigeria and is still lingering even till now , the Nigeria Customs Service, Port Terminal Multiservices Limited (PTML) has generated 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.
In addition the Command has also recorded an increase in the compliance level of importers, exporters and licensed customs agents being the result sustained through sensitization embarked on by the Customs Area Controller (CAC) in charge Comptroller Alli M Ibrahim.
Breakdown of the monthly report revealed an outstanding revenue figures in the month of March , which may be described as the peak of the policy period, that almost wrecked the economy until the intervention of Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC).
In the month of March 2023 the command has garnered in N15,843,240,431.76,
while in January the Command collected N14,748,081,466.31; and in February, collection stood at N13,129,893,878.68.
The CAC expressed optimism while addressing his team that there will be steady improvement in latter parts of the year with strategies put in place.
Comptroller Ibrahim noted that there is a conscious drive to continually block suspected areas of revenue leakages by seeking for more support of all government agencies and private sector operators in ensuring high level of compliance.
The Comptroller commended the efforts of 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 N477.8m between January and March 2023
On anti-smuggling, 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, 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.
He also said that since his resumption, the command has 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.
The process which he said has made trade facilitation seamless since the command deals more on Roll on Roll off (vehicular) cargoes, it has become imperative in removing some traffic obstacles on the port access route.
He affirmed a remarkable improvement in the conduct of examination by officers, hence, preserving the record 4-hour clearance time of vehicles for compliant declarants.
Most importantly as we all know that health is wealth, he confirmed that 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.
In conclusion, he thanked the Comptroller General of NCS Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali, CFR for his unwavering support, mentoring examples and motivation which contribute to the progress of PTML.
