PTML Customs Command Rakes In N239bn
PTML Customs Command Rakes In N239bn
By Asuquo Nuwak
…Uncovers
concealed weapons, ammunition in imported vehicles
The Port Terminal Multiservices Limited (PTML) Command of Nigeria Customs Service, has collected a total sum of N239,233,530,265.48
as revenue from the months of January to September 2024.
The Customs Area Controller of the command, Comptroller Tenny Mankini Daniyan, during a third quarter press briefing disclosed that the total collection from January to September 2024 is N53,448,500,240 which is higher than the revenue figure of N185,785,030,025.47 collected from January to September 2023, representing a 29 percent increase.
In the area of anti smuggling operations, Comptroller Daniyan, said the command has made seizures worth a total duty paid value of N28,478,034.76.
In addition to this, he said the command has made seizures of arms and ammunition, comprising of 2 pistols , 260 ammunition, empty shells and cartridges of different types, thereby preventing dangerous importation from entering Nigeria.
The breakdown of the seizures included
1x40ft container No: ACLU9664782 found to contain 2,598 pieces of used motor tyres, 6 pieces of used fridges, 8 pieces of used rug carpets, 2 pieces of used mattresses,
2 bags containing used clothes, shoes and bags, with the
Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N8,009,436.00.
Further seizures extracted from the container included
foreign parboiled rice and vegetable oil extracted from 1x40ft container No: ACLU9810594, 56 bags of premium parboiled rice of 45.4kg each,
18 bags of rice land parboiled rice of 22.68kg each,15 bags of premium parboiled rice of 11.34kg each,
20 bags of premium parboiled rice of 4.5kg each, 18 kegs of soyabean vegetable oil of 15.87kg each with the Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N6,512,400.00.
Similarly, seizures made from vehicles purchased online included 12 rounds of 9mm Luger FC Blank ammunition and one 9mm Luger live ammunitions extracted from one used MAZDA CX5 with Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N37,405.80.
Besides, 10 rounds of NIM FC 30-30 blank ammunitions, 2 rounds of 7.62mm x 39 AK hollow ammunitions, 3 rounds of WCC NIM Luger 9mm live ammunition and 4 rounds of C hollow ammunition extracted from one used TOYOTA TACOMA with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N63, 698. 96.
Again, 50 rounds of 76mm live cartridges and 109 empty shells of 76mm, 70mm, and other calibres extracted from one used TOYOTA TACOMA with Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N6,987, 576.00.
Furthermore, 51 rounds of 12GA Winchester live cartridges extracted from one used LEXUS RX350 with Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N1,290,464.
Moreso, 1 made in China SIGSAUER 1911 pistol with serial No: U03130962526 extracted from One used TOYOTA SIENNA with Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N241,354.
Other seizures included 1 Glock 22 Austria pistol with serial No: KNTO03 and 13 rounds of 9mm hollow ammunition extracted from one used TOYOTA TACOMA with DPV of
N 5, 310,396.00 which is yet to be handed over to the relevant agency (DSS) pending the instruction from the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC).
Finally, other seizures included 5 rounds of 12GA live cartridges extracted from one used Toyota Tundra with DPV of N25, 304 with a total
DPV of N28, 478,034.76.
He disclosed that, these live rounds of ammunition is to inform all users of PTML, about the readiness of the officers to seize any items without compromise that is in contravention of the extant regulation due to command’s zero tolerance for such items.
The Customs Area Controller, said the 1 x 40ft container No. ACLU9664782 that contained items under seizure one of the above lists was handed over to the Nigeria Environmental Standards and Regulation Enforcement Agency (NESREA) as directed by the Comptroller General of Customs.
According to the report, Engr. Vonkur David Nankpark, NESREA’s Head of Lagos Ports Operations, received the seized items on behalf of the agency’s Director-General.
Comptroller Daniyan, said the seized arms and ammunition are under critical investigation before the normal handing over to the appropriate authority, while a total of three suspects who were detained in connection with these seizures have been granted administrative bail.
In area of trade facilitation, Comptroller Daniyan, said within the period under review, the trade facilitation and ease of doing business strategies have been sustained with the record breaking of two hours clearance time for compliant RoRo cargoes.
H announced that efficient and accessible dispute resolution committee has been strengthened and is working harmoniously to regularly brief the Customs Area Controller with a view to quickly resolving all trade disputes. This committee, according to the report, has contributed immensely to the success recorded during the period of nine months.
Comptroller Daniyan therefore appeal to compliant traders to always make sincere declarations, avoid smuggling and take advantage of the various products put in place by the CGC, such as Time Release Study (TRS), Authorized Economic Operators (AEO) programme and Advance Ruling (AR) to help facilitate trade
Aside from this, he said since his assumption in office, he has prioritised the command’s relationship with all the stakeholders by strengthening the existing cordial relationships sustained over the years.
In his words: “This is applicable to both government and private sector stakeholders. This is in line with the concept of constant stakeholders engagement for maximum cooperation, engendering peace, harmony and trade facilitation”.
He disclosed that, his interactions with importers, licensed customs agents, freight forwarders and terminal operators have contributed greatly to the harmonious operation seen in the command, adding that the command shall continually build on this to promote the overall objectives of the federal government.
Comptroller Daniyan is quoted as saying that: “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, and has led to opening their office in shanghai, China. Currently, RoRo vehicles are being shipped from China to Nigeria , this will subsequently result in increase revenue collection for Nigeria Customs Service, as time goes on.
At the end of a third quarter press briefing, Comptroller Daniyan said, the 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.
About The Author
