The Port Terminal Multiservices Limited (PTML) Command of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has reiterated its commitment to achieving faster cargo clearance by targeting a two-hour cargo clearance time.
The Customs Area Controller (CAC) of the command, Saidu Abba Yusuf, said the command is more committed to trade facilitation and supporting government’s drive for ease of doing business.
Yusuf stated this when he reeled out the achievements of the command for the first quarter of 2024, which saw the command record a total revenue of N66.9 billion.
The revenue is N22.2 billion higher than N44.7 billion collected during the same period in the previous year, representing 49.6 per cent increase. Yusuf, while speaking on strategies to achieve faster cargo clearance, reiterated that PTML command has the potential to achieve two-hour cargo clearance and surpass its existing three-hour record if port users’ compliance level is improved upon.
Yusuf described PTML as one of the safest and most secure environments for Roll On Roll Off (RORO) and general cargoes, just as he advised importers and their agents to take advantage of the incentives available for compliant traders such as fast track, advance ruling and possible migration to the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) status.
He described the importation of vehicles meant for Nigerian roads into neighboring countries with the intent to smuggle them through unapproved roads as unpatriotic and an act of economic sabotage.
Yusuf said the command has the capacity for seamless and efficient processing of such automobile cargoes. He stated that the launching of the time release study (TRS), which is ongoing and other deliberate efforts by the Comptroller General, has contributed to the expansion of terminal space and promoting ease of doing business in PTML.
He reminded port users in PTML of the robust and time-conscious dispute resolution mechanism, which has contributed immensely to the revenue collection, trade facilitation and anti-smuggling functions of the command.
The CAC commended the various government and private sector stakeholders for their cooperation and support towards realisation of government goal of revenue collection and prevention of unlawful activities.
For the second quarter and first half of the year, the CAC enjoined officers of the command to maximally deploy available technology and rededicate themselves to the job to achieve more.
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