PTML Customs Generates N229b Revenue In 2022

Joy Mmereole Okoli

The Ports and Terminal Multiservice Limited (PTML) command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has recorded a total 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 (N229,473,912,976.97) revenue for the year 2022.

This however represent total increase of five billion, three million, seven hundred and ninety-nine thousand, two hundred and forty-three naira only. (N5,003,799,243.00) surpassing the revenue generated in 2021.

The service generated 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) in 2021.

The Customs Area Controller PTML Command, Comptroller Suleiman Bomai stated this while addressing men of the press at a briefing held on tuesday.

Speaking about VIN Valuation and the nature of the work at the command, he said despite the recorded downtime occasioned by agents strikes and the alledged inability of some importers to clear their vehicles from the command, they were able to surpass 2021 revenue with an increase of two point two percent.

"Last year had significant impact on Ports and Terminal Multiservice Limited (PTML) for several reasons- the nature of our operational area makes us deal more on vehicular cargoes (Roll-on Roll-off) and we were impacted by trade policies that affects automobile importation like the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)".

The CAC stated that about eighty percent of the cargo handled in the terminal were vehicles in the year under review.

"Hence, in the year under review, about eighty percent of the cargo handled in the terminal were vehicles. As a customs command, we employed dialogue with our strategic stakeholders on the need to understand the basis of VIN valuation and engaged them severally to solicit their cooperation.

"We also strengthened our relationship with our strategic partners who are sister government agencies in the port," he said.

The CAC also acknowledge that their strategic engagement with the statekeholders and strategic partners has made it possible to strengthen the Command’.

Bomai said that the Command also handled export within the period under review, they handled higher volume of export goods.

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 year 2022.

he stated that when compared 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.

Bomai said that one of the challenges the command had the previous year was the absence of non-functional Scanners in the Command. It would have helped to reduce the issue of one hundred percent (100%) physical examination of containerized cargo.And hopes that as the customs modernization project progresses, a scanner given to PTML will help cargo examination go faster.

He appreciates the Comptroller General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali (Rtd) CFR for the support and guidelines rendered anytime they call on him.