The Port Terminal Multiservices Limited (PTML) Command of Nigeria Customs Service has collected a total of N239.2 billion as revenue from January to September 2024.
Controller of the PTML Command, Comptroller Tenny Mankini Daniyan, made the disclosure during a third quarter press briefing.
Daniyan stated in a release by Customs Public Relations Officer, PTML Command, CSC Muhammad Yakubu, on 19 October, 2024, that the total collection for the period is ₦53.4 billion higher than the ₦185.7 billion collected for January to September, 2023, showing a 29 per cent increase.
On anti-smuggling, Comptroller Daniyan disclosed that the PTML Command made seizures worth a total duty paid value of N28.4million.
He said the Command made seizures, including arms and ammunition comprising of two pistols, 260 ammunition, empty shells and cartridges of different types, thereby preventing dangerous importation from entering the country.
The seizures made from a 1×40ft Container No: ACLU9664782 included 2,598 pieces of used motor tyres; six pieces of used fridges; eight pieces of used rug carpets; two pieces of used mattresses; two bags containing used clothes, shoes and bags, with the total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of ₦8,009,436.00.
Seizures from 1x40ft container No: ACLU9810594 included 56 bags of premium parboiled rice (45.4kg each); 18 bags of parboiled rice (22.68kg each); 15 bags of premium parboiled rice (11.34kg each); 20 bags of premium parboiled rice (4.5kg each); 18 kegs of soybean vegetable oil (15.87kg each), with total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of ₦6.5million.
Seizures made from vehicles purchased online included 12 rounds of 9mm Luger FC Blank ammunition and one (1) 9mm Luger live ammunition extracted from one used MAZDA CX5 with DPV of ₦37,405.80.
Ten (10) rounds of NIM FC 30-30 blank ammunitions; two rounds of 7.62mm x 39 AK hollow ammunition; three rounds of WCC NIM Luger 9mm live ammunition and four rounds of C hollow ammunition were extracted from one used Toyota TACOMA with a DPV of ₦63,698.96.
Fifty (50) rounds of 76mm live cartridges and 109 empty shells of 76mm, 70mm, and other calibres were extracted from one used Toyota TACOMA with Duty Paid Value (DPV) of ₦6.9million.
Fifty one (51) rounds of 12GA Winchester live cartridges were extracted from one used LEXUS RX350, with DPV of ₦1.2million.
One (1) Made-in-China SIGSAUER 1911 pistol with Serial No: U03130962526 were extracted from One used Toyota SIENNA with (DPV) of ₦241,354
One (1) Glock 22 Austria pistol with serial No: KNTO03 and 13 rounds of 9mm hollow ammunition were extracted from one used Toyota TACOMA with DPV of ₦5.3million.
It was stated that the seizures were yet to be handed over to the relevant security agency (DSS), pending further instruction from the Comptroller General of Customs.
Also, five (5) rounds of 12GA live cartridges were extracted from one used Toyota Tundra with Total DPV of ₦28, 478,034.76.
Comptroller Daniyan declared that the NCS PTML Command has zero-tolerance for importation of contraband goods.
He explained that the live rounds of ammunition were displayed to inform all about the readiness of the NCS, PTML Command, to seize any items that contravene extant regulation, without any compromise.
The 1 x 40ft container No. ACLU9664782 containing the seized items in one of the above lists was handed over to the Nigeria Environmental Standards and Regulation Enforcement Agency (NESREA).
The handing over was directed by the Comptroller General of Customs. The container and the seized items were received by Engineer Vonkur David Nankpark, NESREA Head of Lagos Ports Operations, on behalf of the Director General of the agency.
Comptroller Daniyan said investigations were ongoing on the seized arms and ammunition before the normal handing over to the appropriate authority.
A total of three suspects, who were arrested and initially detained in the respect of the seizures, have been granted administrative bail.
Speaking on trade facilitation, Comptroller Daniyan said: “Within the period under review, our trade facilitation and ease of doing business strategies have been sustained with our record-breaking two hours clearance time for compliant RoRo cargoes.
“An efficient and accessible Dispute Resolution Committee has been strengthened and it is working harmoniously to regularly brief the Customs Area Controller.
“This is with a view to quickly resolving all trade disputes. This committee contributed immensely to the success recorded during the period of nine months.
“I want to appeal to our compliant traders to always make sincere declarations, avoid smuggling and take advantage of the various products put in place by the CGC.
“These include Time Release Study (TRS), Authorised Economic Operators (AEO) programme and Advance Ruling (AR) to help facilitate trade.
“Since my assumption of office, I have prioritised the Command’s relationship with all our stakeholders by strengthening the existing cordial relationships sustained over the years.
“This is applicable to both government and private sector stakeholders. This is in line with the concept of constant stakeholder engagement for maximum cooperation, engendering peace, harmony and trade facilitation.
“My interactions with importers, licensed customs agents, freight forwarders and terminal operators have contributed greatly to the harmonious operation you see in the Command and we shall continually build on this to promote the overall objectives of the Federal Government.
“The constant engagement with our host PTML and Grimaldi Management on the need to diversify their operations has resulted in their expansion to the Far East by opening their office in Shanghai, China.
Currently goods- mainly RoRo vehicles- are being shipped from China to Nigeria. This will subsequently result in increase revenue collection for NCS as time goes by.
“Our capacity to handle more RoRo cargoes is supported by the Command’s track record of efficiency which has been severally demonstrated through timely clearance of automobiles and other cargoes,” Comptroller Daniyan added.
