Despite drop in vehicle import, PTML Customs records N239bn revenue in 9 months

.... intercepts weapons, ammunition, others 

In spite of the drop in vehicle importation, the PTML Command of the Nigeria Customs Service said it collected N239.2 billion as revenue between the months of January to September 2024.

Controller of the command, Comptroller Tenny Mankini Daniyan, who disclosed this to newsmen during a third quarter press briefing in Lagos said the revenue collection is N53.4billion higher when compared to the N185.7billion collected in the corresponding period of 2023, showing a 29 percent increase.

He said, “As at this same time last year, we have about 64,000 declarations but now we have about 33,000. That is to tell you that the cargo throughput has really gone down. Minimally, it is not actually affecting the revenue collected, rather we are making more from the little we have because there are other mechanism we have put in place and interventions by the Command’s valuation unit, CIU and Post Clearance Audit ( PCA). All of these contribute to the total revenue we get, ”

On anti smuggling, Comptroller Daniyan said the command made seizures including arms and ammunition valued at N28.5million.

He said the arms and ammunition comprising 2 pistols, 260 ammunition, empty shells and cartridges of different types where discovered concealed in imported vehicles purchased online.

Giving a breakdown of the arns seizures, the CAC said they include12 rounds of 9mm Luger FC Blank ammunition, one 9mm Luger live ammunitions extracted from one used MAZDA CX5 with DPV of N37,405.80.

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 DPV of N63, 698. 96.

Others are, “50 rounds of 76mm live cartridges and one hundred and nine 109 empty shells of 76mm, 70mm, and other calibres extracted from one used TOYOTA TACOMA with Duty Paid Value (DPV)= N6,987, 576.00.

“51 rounds of 12GA Winchester live cartridges extracted from one used LEXUS RX350 with DPV of N1,290,464

“One made in China SIGSAUER 1911 pistol with serial No: U03130962526 extracted from One used TOYOTA SIENNA with (DPV) of  N241,354

“One 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.

“Five rounds of 12GA live cartridges extracted from one used Toyota Tundra with DPV of N25, 304.
Total DPV =   N28, 478,034.76.

“The showcasing of these live rounds of ammunition is to inform all users of PTML about the readiness of our officers to seize without compromise any items that is in contravention of the extant regulation due to command’s zero tolerance for such.”

The Controller said the arms are undergoing investigation and will be handed over to the appropriate authority after conclusion of the investigation.

A total of three suspect, he said, were detained in respect of the seizures but have been granted administrative bail.

In addition to the weapons, Comptroller Daniyan said the command also  intercepted a 1/40 foot container with 2,598 pieces of used motor tyres, 6 pieces of used fridges, 8 pieces of used Rug carpets, 2 pieces of used mattresses and 2 bags containing used clothes, shoes and bags with a Duty Paid Value of N8million.

Others are foreign parboiled rice and soybean vegetable oil valued at Duty N6. 5million.

The container with used tyres and fridges has been handed over to the Nigeria Environmental Standards and Regulation Enforcement Agency (NESREA) for further action.

On trade facilitation,the Controller said “Within the period under review, our trade facilitation and ease of doing business strategies have been sustained with our record breaking two hours clearance time for compliant RoRo cargoes.

“An efficient and accessible dispute resolution committee has been strengthened and working harmoniously 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 period of nine months.

“I want to appeal to our compliant traders to always make sincere declarations, avoid smuggling and take advantage of the various products  put in place by the CGC like Time Release Study (TRS), Authorized Economic Operators (AEO) programme and Advance Ruling (AR) to help facilitate trade.

“Since my assumption of office, I have prioritised the command’s relationship with all our stakeholders by strengthening the existing cordial relationships sustained over the years. This is applicable to both government and private sector stakeholders. This is in line with concept of constant stakeholder engagement for maximum cooperation engendering peace, harmony and trade facilitation.

“My interactions with importers, licensed customs agents, freight forwarders and terminal operators have contributed greatly to the harmonious operation you see in the command and we shall continually build on this to promote the overall objectives of the federal government.

“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 by opening their office in shanghai -china. Currently goods -mainly RoRo vehicles are being shipped from China to Nigeria, this will subsequently result in increase revenue collection for NCS as time goes by.

“Our 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” the CAC said.