PTML Customs Command Nets 229bn, In Revenue Collection
…representing a 2.2 Percent Increase
By Jerry Aguigbo
The PTML Customs Command has yesterday declared that in the year 2022, the Command generated a total N229,473,912,976.97 only. This, the Customs Area Controller, Compt. Suleiman Bomai said represents about Ninety-six percent of the revenue target of
N238,224,920,038.88 only. Set for 2021 adopted by the Command in 2022. This shows an increase of N5,003,799,243.00 over the revenue for the year 2021 which is N224,470,113,733.00 only.
This according to Comptroller Bomai represents an increase of 2.2%.
Despite the recorded downtime occasioned by agents strike and alleged inability by some importers to clear their vehicles from PTML control, the Command was able to surpass its 2021 revenue collection last year.
On Export trade, he Command handled export goods on commodities such as cocoa, sesame seeds, palm oil and other food items with a total tonnage of about 178,572.13 metric tons, with a total Free on Board (FOB) value of Trade $249,419,604.52 only in the year 2022.
This, compared to the year 2021, with the total tonnage of about 147,578.11 metric tons, with a total Free on Board (FOB) value of
1,452,821,912.50 only.
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: (i) 1X40ft container containing 3 vehicles used to conceal 2 fire arms.
1used Ford Edge containing Fire Arm and 30 rounds of live cartridges.
1used Toyota sienna containing fire arm and
1 used Toyota corolla containing 90 rounds of live ammunition. These seizures had a DPV of #36,316,155.00.
However, a total of 6 suspects were arrested in connection with these seizures
and all have been granted administrative bail.
Also, within the period under review, the command sustained its average of
4 hour clearance time of vehicle for compliant traders. An efficient and accessible dispute resolution committee was also 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.
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.”
Aside initial enlightenment done on the VIN valuation, Bomai stated that the 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.”
As much as the PTML Command has done, they also had challenges in the form of lack of scanners. ” The absence of non-functional Scanners in the Command is one of our major challenge. This 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,” Bomai said.
There is again the problem of inadequate Space as the henchman explained, “available space within the Command is very limited and we are managing that presently. We anticipate that in future the Port and Terminal Multiservice Limited (PTML) management and our various bonded warehouse operators will expand our spaces to enhance customs operation.
He sincerely expressed his Command’s deep appreciation to the Comptroller General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali (Rtd) CFR and his entire management team for the support they have enjoyed so far.
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