“The pulling out of Maersk Line has affected our command drastically in the area of revenue collection. We are not finding it easy here, because, even when Maersk Line was here, the highest we got in a month was N7.2 billion. But, now that they have pulled out, the CAC (Customs Area Controller) is exploring new ways to tight loose areas, at least to make sure that the revenue drop is not from leakage.”
That was the Customs Public Relations Officer, Port and Terminal Multi-Services Limited (PTML) Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Chief Superintendent Steve Okonmah.
Speaking with SHIPS & PORTS DAILY, Okonmah lamented the situation at the terminal, even as he assured that the Area Command is exploring new measures to ensure that all revenue loopholes are blocked.
Checks by SHIPS & PORTS DAILY had revealed that the PTML Area Command is currently suffering huge revenue loss occassioned by lull in business activities due to the exit of Maersk Line vessels from port calls at the Grimaldi Shipping-operated PTML facility.
To this effect, it was gathered that the CAC, Comptroller Tajudeen Olanrewaju, has been discussing with the Grimaldi Management on how to improve on the operations and performance of the terminal in order to check continued loss of revenue.
The Area command, which monthly target rose from N7.5 billion in 2012 to over N10 billion in 2013, now generates less than N6 billion, compared to an average of N7.2 billion generated prior to the Maersk Line vessels exit from port calls at the PTML terminal.
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