The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Port and Terminal Multi-services Limited (PTML) Command generated a total revenue of N229,473,912,976.97 in 2022, representing an increase of N5,003,799,243.00 from the N224,470,113,733 collected the previous year.
Also, the Command handled export trade with a total tonnage of about 178,572.13 metric tons, with a total Free on Board (FOB) value of $249,419,604.52; compared to the total tonnage of about 147,578.11 metric tons, with a total FOB value of $1,452,821,912.50 made in 2021.
The Customs Area Controller, now Acting Assistant Comptroller General, Suleiman Bomai told journalists during a press briefing on Tuesday that the Command was able to surpass 2021 revenue collection despite the recorded downtime occasioned by agents strike and alleged inability by some importers to clear their vehicles.
He said: “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). 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. Our robust interface with private sector stakeholders and government agencies is ongoing in 2023 and beyond in line with our extant standard operating procedures. It is important to state that implementation of all government policies and directives are ongoing with increasing degree of compliance being recorded so far”.
In the area of anti-smuggling, the Command uncovered attempts to smuggle arms and ammunition into the country concealed in imported vehicles. A total of six suspects were arrested in connection with these seizures and have been granted administrative bail.
