The Port Terminal Multiservices Ltd. (PTML) Command of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has recorded N66.9 billion revenue in the first quarter of the year.
The Customs Area Controller (CAC), PTML Command, Comptroller, Saidu Yusuf, said this at a news conference in Lagos on Monday.
He said that the figure, which was N22.19 billion higher than the N44.72 billion recorded same period in 2023, represented 49.6 per cent increase.
Yusuf described the increase in the revenue collection as a laudable feat.
According to him, the command is committed towards trade facilitation and supports the government’s drive on ease of doing business.
The comptroller thanked the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, for initiating strategies to achieve faster cargo clearance.
He reiterated that PTML command, under his watch, aimed to surpass its record of three hour cargo clearance for compliant traders.
“The launching of Time Release Study (TRS), which is ongoing and other deliberate efforts by the Comptroller General, had contributed to the expansion of terminal space and promoted ease of doing business in PTML.
“PTML command has potentials to achieve two hour cargo clearance and surpass it’s existing three hours record if port users compliance level is improved upon.
“PTML is one of the safest and most secure environments for RoRo(Roll On Roll Off) and general cargoes,” Yusuf said.
He advised importer 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 robust and time conscious dispute resolution mechanism, which had contributed immensely to the revenue collection, trade facilitation and anti smuggling functions of the command.
Yusuf commended the various government and private sector stakeholders for their cooperation and support toward the realisation of the overnment goal of revenue collection and prevention of unlawful activities.
He also expressed optimism that the command would surpass it’s annual target for the year.
He described the importation of vehicles meant for Nigerian roads into nneighbouringcountries with the ntent to smuggle them through unapproved roads into Nigeria as unpatriotic and act of economic sabotage.
The PTLM customs boss said that the command had the capacity for seamless and efficient processing of such automobile cargoes.
The CAC enjoined officers of the command to maximally deploy available technology and rededicate themselves to the job to achieve more revenue for the second quoter.
He reminded the port users of the increased in anti-smuggling vigilance to uncover concealment such as under declaration and smuggling of prohibited items.
Yusuf said that any discovered infraction would lead to full evoking of the Nigeria Customs Service Act (NCSA), where there were spelt out penalties.
Lilypond Customs generates N1.39bn under Nigeria Export Supervision Scheme
The Lilypond Export Command of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) says its Nigeria Export Supervision Scheme (NESS) payment stood at N1.39 billion as at first quarter of the year.
The Customs Area Controller (CAC), Lilypond Export Command, Comptroller Ajibola Odunsanya, said this at a news conference in Lagos on Tuesday.
The figure represents an increase of N1.01 billion when compared to N328.2 million posted in the first quarter of 2023.
Odunsanya said that the command also recorded revenue worth $236 million in the first quarter of the year 2024.
Odunsanya attributed the success to the enhanced revenue generation and compliance.
He added that surcharge payment for plants and machinery as well as imported goods doubled from N8.78 million in the the same period of 2023 f to N 18.2 million during the year under review.
According to him, the increase in growth is due to the command aligning with fiscal policy directives.
He said, “In the first quarter of 2024, the command processed a total of 5,891 (20ft and 40ft) containers valued at $236,087,888.53.
“These comprise diverse commodities such as agricultural produce, manufactured goods, solid and extractive minerals, among others. The breakdown of export activities is as follows:
“Agricultural Produce, a total of 4,229 (20ft and 40ft) containers were filled with agricultural produce, generating earnings amounting to $153.4 million and receiving N916.4 million under NESS, underscoring the robust contribution of agricultural exports to the national economy.
“Not less than 629 (20ft and 40ft) containers dispatched, manufactured goods contributed significantly to export revenue, totaling $22.2 million the NESS payment to the FGN amounted to N112.9 million, reflecting the sector’s resilience and competitiveness in the global market.”
Odunsanya also explained that the export of solid and extractive minerals witnessed a notable upsurge, with 753 (20ft and 40ft) containers dispatched, valued at $34.1 million, representing a NESS payment of N224.1 million.
This, he added, highlighted the immense potential of Nigeria’s mineral resources on the international stage.
“Additionally, various goods such as plants & machinery, and personal effects were exported in 280 (20ft and 40ft) containers, contributing $26.2 million to export revenue with a NESS payment of N135.7 million was made, emphasising the diversified nature of Nigeria’s export portfolio,” Odunsanya said.
According to him, total containers processed in first quarter of the year surged by 44 per cent to reach 5,891(20ft and 40ft) containers as against 3,784 (20ft and 40ft) containers processed in first quarter of 2023 that it also signified heightened trade activity at the command.
He said that export commodities’ value also surged to $236 million as against $154.4 million recorded in the first quarter of 2023, underlining the sustained momentum in export performance.
He said that the command maintained an open-door policy, which resolved a lot of issues of common interest with concerned stakeholders.
