PTML Customs Records Impressive Revenue of N66.9 Billion in Q1 2024, Aims for Two-Hour Vehicle Clearance Time
The Port Terminal Multiservices Limited (PTML) Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has achieved a remarkable revenue milestone, collecting a total of N66,920,181,586.30 in the first quarter of 2024. This marks a significant increase of N22,198,965,809.55 compared to the same period in 2023, representing a 49.6 percent growth.
Comptroller Saidu Abba Yusuf, the Customs Area Controller (CAC) of the command, hailed this achievement as a testament to their commitment to trade facilitation and supporting the government’s agenda for ease of doing business. He expressed gratitude to the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, for spearheading strategies aimed at expediting cargo clearance.
Yusuf emphasized the command’s dedication to surpassing its previous record of three-hour cargo clearance for compliant traders, with aspirations to achieve a two-hour clearance time. He credited initiatives such as the ongoing time release study (TRS) and efforts to expand terminal space for contributing to the improved efficiency at PTML.
Furthermore, Yusuf encouraged importers and their agents to leverage incentives available for compliant traders, such as fast track processing, advance ruling, and the possibility of attaining Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) status. He also highlighted PTML’s robust dispute resolution mechanism, which has bolstered revenue collection, trade facilitation, and anti-smuggling efforts.
While expressing optimism about surpassing annual targets, Yusuf denounced the smuggling of vehicles meant for Nigerian roads through neighboring countries, emphasizing PTML’s capacity for efficient processing of such cargoes. Looking ahead to the second quarter and the rest of the year, he urged officers to utilize available technology effectively and recommit themselves to their duties.
Yusuf cautioned port users about increased anti-smuggling measures, warning against infractions such as under-declaration and smuggling of prohibited items, which would incur penalties as stipulated by the Nigeria Customs Service Act (NCSA).
CSC Muhammad Yakubu, Public Relations Officer for the Customs Area Controller of PTML Command, reiterated the command’s determination to uphold efficiency, revenue collection, and security in maritime operations.”
