By Chinonye Anyatonwu
The Ports and Terminal Multiservice Limited, PTML, Customs Command of Nigeria Customs Service( NCS), has recorded the sum of Two hundred and twenty-nine billion, four hundred and seventy-three million nine hundred and twelve thousand nine hundred and seventy- six naira, ninety- seven kobo. (229,473,912,976,97) revenue in the 2022.
The Ag. Area Controller, Comptroller Suleiman
Bomai at the press briefing in Lagos, said this represents about Ninety-six percent of the revenue target of Two hundred and thirty eight billion, two hundred and twenty four million, nine hundred and twenty thousand, thirty-eight naira, eighty-eight kobo.
According to Bomai, an increase of Five billion, three million, seven hundred and ninety-nine thousand, two hundred and forty-three naira only (N5,003,799,243.00) over the revenue for the year 2021 which was Two hundred and twenty-four billion, four hundred and seventy million, one hundred and thirteen thousand, seven hundred and thirty- three naira (N224,470,113,733.00) only.
He stated that “The Command handled export goods on commodities such as cocoa, sesame seeds, palm oil and other food items with a total tonnage of about one hundred and seventy-eight thousand, five hundred and seventy step point thirteen, (178,572.13) metric tons, with a total Free on Board (FOB) value of Two hundred and forty-nine million, four hundred and ninety thousand, six hundred and four point fifty-two (USD), ($249,419,604.52) only in the year 2022.
“Compare to the year 2021, with the total tonnage of about One hundred and forty-seven thousand, five hundred and seventy-eight, point eleven, (147,578.11) metric tons, with a total Free on Board (FOB) value of One billion, four hundred and fifty-two million, eight hundred and twenty- one thousand, nine hundred and twenty-one point fifty (USD),
Compt. Bomai said In the area of anti-smuggling activities, the Command made some seizures in the year under review as a result of diligent hundred percent cargo examination and deployment of intelligence, we uncovered attempts to smuggle arms and ammunition into the country concealed in imported vehicles.
“In the period under review, four seizures were recorded which include: 1X40ft container containing three vehicles used to conceal two fire arms. One used Ford Edge containing Fire Arm and thirty rounds of live cartridges, One used Toyota sienna containing fire arm, One used Toyota corolla containing ninety rounds of live ammunition.
“A total of 6 suspects were arrested in connection with these seizures
and have been granted administrative bail.
On trade facilitation a “Total duty paid value of Thirty-six million, three hundred and sixteen thousand, one hundred and fifty-five naira only (#36,316,155.00) were made
According to Bomai, “within the period under review, the command sustained its average of four hour clearance time of vehicle for compliant traders. An efficient and accessible dispute resolution committee has been put in place to regularly brief the Customs Area Controller with a view to quickly resolving all trade disputes.
“The dispute resolution Committee in the Command was strengthened last year under my watch with experienced and knowledgeable officers.
“I personally monitor transactions and interventions by various units daily to sustain our standard of ease of doing business and trade facilitation
“The Command has continued to maintain a cordial relationship with the various government agencies like the Nigeria police, NDLEA, NAFDAC, SON, NESREA, NAQS, e.t.c.
“The various interventions approved by headquarters on the issue are diligently being implemented in the command. The innovation to automate clearance of non-standard VIN and use of code 846 for clearance is being applied too. Gradually, our stakeholders are showing understanding.
“Within the period under review, we had very robust and productive engagements with other agencies of government where we shared ideas and pursued government objectives without compromising our respective mandates as enshrined in our enabling laws.
“We met from time to time to share intelligence, prevent and detect crimes in the national interest and on our part as NCS we prevented revenue loss
Comptroller Bomai however said that the command recorded some challenges which are: Lack of scanner which will reduce the issue of one hundred percent (100%) physical examination of containerized cargo and inadequate Space within the Command.
