Compt Saidu Describes 2023 ‘a successful year’ as PTML records N256.3Bn Revenue, intercepts goods worth N158.4M DPV from Smugglers

The Area Controller of Port Terminal Multiservice Limited (PTML) Command of Nigeria Customs Service, Comptroller Saidu Abba Yusuf, has described penultimate year 2023 a successful one for the Command considering it’s accomplishments in discharging the Service core mandates of revenue generation, facilitation of legitimate trade, anti-smuggling activities and deploying strategies to secure the National security.

Just as the Command recorded a total of Two hundred and fifty-six billion, three hundred and sixty-three million, two hundred and ninety-five thousand, one hundred and forty-one naira, sixty-seven kobo, (N256,363,295,141.67) as revenue in 2023, which is 12% higher than that generated in year 2022, the Area Controller explained that the 2023 collection is Twenty-six billion, eight hundred and eighty-nine million, three hundred and eighty-two thousand, one hundred and sixty-five naira (#26,889,382,165) higher than the Two hundred and twenty-nine billion, four hundred and seventy-three million, nine hundred and twelve thousand, nine hundred and seventy-six naira and ninety-seven kobo (#229,473,912,976.97).

In statement signed and made available to newsmen by the Command’s spokesman, CSC Muhammad Yakubu, the Command handled export goods with a total tonnage of about One hundred and fifty-nine thousand, three hundred and fourteen point twenty-three (159,314.23) metric tons, with a total Free on Board (FOB) of value of Forty-nine billion, nine hundred and eighty million, eight hundred and sixty-five thousand, eight hundred and seventy-five naira, fifteen kobo only in the year 2023.
In the area of anti-smuggling activities, the Command made some seizures in the year under review. As a result of diligent hundred percent cargo examination and deployment of intelligence, we uncovered attempts to smuggle arms and ammunition, expired tomato concentrates, used tyres and used fridges into the country.
Highlight of the seizures include-
(i). Ix40ft container no: ACLU9715690 containing used household items such as used mattresses, used chairs, used tyres and used electronics falsely declared as three used vehicles.
(ii). Ix40ft container no: ACLU9715690 found to conceal 2,958 pieces of used tyres and used fridges, falsely declared as two vehicles and used household items.
(iii). Ix40ft container no: ACLU9680248 found to conceal Ten (10) fire arms, Three (3) Empty Magazines, and 442 rounds of live ammunition. Other items include 140 bags of foreign parboiled rice, Three (3) used vehicles and used household items.
(iv). 2x20ft containers found to conceal expired Tomato concentrates.
(v). Ix40ft container no:GCNU4720167 extracted Three (3) cartons of Co-codamol.
A total of five (5) suspects were arrested in connection with these seizures and have been granted administrative bail.
Total duty paid value of (DPV) value of One hundred and fifty-eight million, four hundred and three thousand, five hundred and fourty -eight naira, seventy-three kobo only.
Within the period under review, the Command sustained its average of three hour clearance time of vehicle for compliant traders.
“Also, an efficient and accessible dispute resolution committee has been put in place to regularly brief the Customs Area Controller with a view to quickly resolving all trade disputes.
This committee contributed immensely to the success recorded during the year under review.”

“Comptroller Yusuf personally monitored transactions and interventions by the various units daily to sustain our standard of ease of doing business and trade facilitation.
“On Stakeholders engagement, the Command has continued to maintain a cordial relationship with the various government agencies like the NDLEA, NAFDAC, SON, NPA, NESREA, NAQS, e.t.c. We have effectively functioned as the lead agency towards “ease of doing business” in the port. This has greatly contributed to the efficiency in service delivery. Regular meetings were held with our critical stakeholders where issues affecting various segment of the supply chain were well discussed and solutions proffered.
“Furthermore, the forum served as a platform through which compliances was being preached and feedback received. Through these engagement we shared ideas and pursued government objectives without compromising our respective mandates as enshrined in our enabling laws. We met to share intelligence, prevent and detect crimes in the national interest and on our part as NCS we prevented revenue loss.
“The Customs Area Controller, on behalf of the officers and men of the Command expressed deep appreciation to the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, and his entire management team for the support we have enjoyed from their inspiring leadership, giving us direction and guiding us on the path of productivity,” the statement partly read.