…Handles 178,572.13 Metric Tons Of Export Trade
Ag. ACG Suleiman Bomai with senior officers of the CommandThe Nigeria Customs Service, Port and Terminal Multiseevices Limited (PTML) Command recorded the sum 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 (N229,473,912,976.97) revenue for the year 2022.
This amount 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
(N238,224,920,038.88) only. Set for 2021 adopted by the Command in 2022
The Customs Area Controller In charge of the Command, Ag. ACG Suleiman Bomal who made this known to the press on Tuesday says this figure shows 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.
Representing an increase of Two point two percent (2.2%). “Despite the recorded downtime occasioned by agents strike and alleged inability by some importers to clear their vehicles from our control, we were able to surpass 2021 revenue collection last year”. Bomai added.
Ag. ACG Bomai disclosed 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-two 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 same year 2022
.
This, he said, when 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 US dollar (1,452,821,912.50) only.
On anti- smuggling activities, Ag. ACG Bomai said the Command made some
seizures in the year under review which was as a result of diligent hundred percent cargo examination and deployment of intelligence.
According to the Areas Controller, the command uncovered attempts to smuggle arms and ammunition into the country which was concealed in imported vehicles.
He stated that four seizures were recorded with a duty paid value of Thirty-six million, three hundred and sixteen thousand, one hundred and fifty-five naira only (#36,316,155.00).
He stated the seizures to 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 and One used Toyota corolla containing ninety rounds of live ammunition.
He hinted that a total of 6 suspects were arrested in connection with the seizures
and have been granted administrative bail.
Speaking on trade facilitation, Ag. ACG Bomai hinted that within the period under review, the command sustained its average of four hour clearance time of vehicle for compliant traders.
He added 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.
In his word “The dispute resolution Committee in the Command was strengthened last year under my watch with experienced and knowledgeable officers.It achieved reducing the period trade disputes were resolved. This committee contributed immensely to the success recorded during the year under review.
“I personally monitor transactions and interventions by various units daily to sustain our standard of ease of doing business and trade facilitation” he said.
He disclosed that the Command has continued to maintain cordial relationship with the various government agencies like the Nigeria police, NDLEA, NAFDAC, SON, NESREA, NAQS among others. Adding that the command have effectively functioned as the lead agency towards “ease of doing business” in the port. This he said has greatly contributed to the efficiency in service delivery. With the private sector players being the strategic stakeholders.
“We interacted closely with our strategic stakeholders like the importers, exporters, concessionaire, bonded terminal operators, licensed customs agents, freight forwarders and others, where issues affecting various segment of the supply chain were well discussed and solution proffered
“Aside initial enlightenment done on the VIN valuation, PTML Command has been doing a lot of engagement on the issue to address the trade facilitation associated with standard and non-standard VIN.
“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” Bomai quipped.
He however disclosed that the command encounter few challenges in the year under review and it includes the absence of non-functional Scanners in the Command. Which will reduce the issue of one hundred percent (100%) physical examination of containerized cargo. “As the customs modernization project progresses, we are hoping to have a scanner for faster cargo examination” he said.
Other challenge highlighted by him is Inadequate Space within the Command which he hinted that his men and officers are presently managing it with hope that in future the Port and Terminal Multiservice Limited (PTML) management and other various bonded warehouse operators will expand their spaces to enhance customs operation.
