With a track record of persistent growth, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) is setting the pace with a 20% increase in revenue in the first nine months of 2021.
Point News reports that the Port and Terminal Multiservice Limited (PTML) Command of the Service has Collected a total of N165,021,614,645 as revenue accruing to the Federal Government from January to September, 2021.
This amount shows an increase of N26, 986,656,533. above the N138, 034,958,112 collected within the same period of last year 2020 and represents a 20% increase in the Command’s revenue.
According to a statement from
Deputy Superintendent of Customs Yakubu Muhammad, Customs Public Relations Officer of the PTML Command, the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Festus Okun has always improved revenue collection strategies by blocking possible areas of leakages, collection of identified shortfalls through Demand Notices (DN), promotion of trade facilitation and achievement of seamless cargo clearance for compliant importers, without compromising national security and interest.
According to the statement, made available to Point News, the Command was able to put more measures in the areas of capacity building for officers, strengthening of the dispute resolution mechanisms and building a strong quality service delivery, thus encouraging ease of doing business.
He added that, ‘We have a functional help-desk, while we keep our doors open to stakeholder for direct access.”
The issuance of Demand Notices (DNs) from uncovered revenue shortfalls within the period under review amounted N865, 449,258.
On Import trade within the months under review, a total of 145 ships berthed at the PTML terminal carrying 26,613 containers and 171,491 imported vehicles between January and September 2021.
While on Export trade , the Command handled export goods with a total tonnage of 118,460,38 metric tons, with a total Free on Board (FOB) value of N832, 966,515,368.49 only.
Comptroller Okun, while commending the Officers and Men of the command for their patriotism and commitment to national interest, he urged them to double their efforts to achieve a more resounding feat by end of 2021.
He also advised them to continually uphold the tenets of honesty and service as exemplified by the Comptroller General, Col Hameed Ali and other members of the Customs Management team.
Okun also urged the newly promoted officers in the command to justify the confidence reposed on them by being more selfless to the course of Nigeria Customs Service and the nation at large.
The Controller, while describing PTML as a model port with many advantages for Importers and exporters, urged them to increase their level of compliance.
He reiterated that the four hour clearance time for compliant Roll on Roll off (RoRo) cargoes is very much subsisting. Adding that PTML provides opportunity for vehicle importation with speedy clearance being a model RoRo port that should discourage car smuggling through land borders.