The Port Terminal Multiservices Limited PTML Command of Nigeria Customs Service has disclosed that it collected a total revenue of N224,470,113,733 for year 2021
Addressing his first press conference for the year , Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Festus Okun who briefed newsmen on his command’s activities for 2021, said the area has become a zero tolerance zone for infractions as perpetrators of unlawful importation, false declarations and concealments are uncovered and arrested.
According to Comptroller Okun, the collected figure is N35,122,548,424 above N189,347,565,309 which was collected in 2020 representing an increase of 19 percent
The CAC disclosed during the briefing that the command made seizures with total duty paid value of over N55m because the seized items were brought in contravention to extant laws and processed 199,487metric tonnes of cargoes for export.
The 2021 export according to him, has a N132,451,819,641.62k free on board (FOB) value
Comptroller Okun said “In the area of anti-smuggling activities, the Command made some seizures in the year under review. The Seizure comprised of four (4) containers ; (3x40ft & 1x20ft) which were found to contain bags of rice, vegetable oil, drinks, vehicles, pharmaceutical product and among others with a duty paid value of Fifty-five million, five hundred and twenty-nine thousand, two hundred and eighty-five naira (N55,529,285.00) only.
“The seizures were effected because the importations were done in contravention of extant laws. Vegetable oil is listed under Schedule III of the Common External Tariff (CET) Prohibition (Trade)
” The Command handled export goods with a total tonnage of about One hundred and ninety-nine thousand, four hundred and eighty-seven (199,487) metric tons, with a total Free on Board (FOB) value of One hundred and thirty-two billion, four hundred and fifty-one million, eight hundred and nineteen thousand, six hundred and forty-one naira, sixty-two kobo (N132,451,819,641.62) only.
While commending the port users and stakeholders for increased compliance level the CAC said the command sustained and improved on various measures emplaced to enhance facilitation of legitimate trade.
Some of these measures were in the area of capacity building for officers, strengthening of the dispute resolution committee and building a strong team for quality service delivery, thus engendering ease of doing business.
He also specifically highlighted the functional help-desk and our work ethic of keeping our doors open to stakeholder for direct access for all official matters.
“The Command has continued to maintain a cordial relationship with the various stakeholders like importers, exporters, licensed customs agents, freight forwarders and others.
“Regular meetings were held with our critical stakeholders where issues affecting various segments of the supply chain were well discussed and solutions proffered.
“Furthermore, the forum served as a platform through which compliance was being preached and feedback received. Through these engagements, we were able to operate in an atmosphere that was conducive for trade and accomplishment of our Service goals” Comptroller Okun said.
The CAC also lauded the very cordial inter agency collaboration between the command and various agencies of government like the Nigeria Police, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Nigeria Environmental Standards Regulatory Enforcement Agency (NESREA) , National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and others.
He reiterated that the command is always vigilant to forestall any attempts at bringing dangerous goods into the country adding that there is improved support and encouragement from the Comptroller General of Customs and the management to achieve more successes in 2022 and beyond.
