The Ports and Terminal Multi- Services Limited (PTML) command of the Nigeria Custom Service said it collected total revenue of N73.2billion in 2013 as against N71.3billion it generated in 2012.
Customs Area Controller of the command, Comptroller Adeshina Odunmbaku who gave the figures while presenting the command’s scorecard for 2013 to newsmen in Lagos last Thursday stated that the revenue figure is an increase of N1.9billion or about 2.7 percent over the figure it collected in 2012.
He said the command however fell short of its revenue target of N90 billion for 2013.
Odunmbaku who has now been promoted an Assistant Controller General of Customs added that the traffic gridlock along the port access road contributed to the low revenue generation of the command.
“The gridlock along the access road is slowing down performance in the port and definitely, if its slows down port operation by extension it will also affect our revenue generation because if you as an agent can’t get to the port, there is no way you can follow up with your job,” he said.
Represented by his Public Relations Officer, Steve Okonmah, Odunmbaku expressed optimism in meeting the command’s revenue target for the year 2014 adding that measures are being put in place to ensure that all loopholes are blocked.
“Even on public holidays, we were at work; all these are efforts being made by the command to make sure that we don’t have shortfall and at the same time to facilitate release of consignments so that we can meet our target,” he said.
Odunbaku said in the area of anti-smuggling, a total of 6 seizures were made with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N97.3million.
A breakdown of the seizures shows that five of the containers were 40ft all found to contain furniture, fireworks, vehicles, arms and ammunition; and a 20ft container carrying 240 bales of printed wax. Also a total of six vehicles were seized.
According to him, all the seizures were made as a result of false declarations, forged documents and prohibition.
Odunmbaku further stated that the command holds regular meetings between the management and the stakeholders to iron out differences between officers and the agents and as a result now enjoy cordial relationship with all stakeholders.
He however warned that tough times await fraudulent importers.
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