PTML Customs Command generates N239b, seizes arms and ammunition

The Customs Area Controller of Port Terminal Multiservices Limited(PTML) Command of Nigeria Customs Service, Comptroller Tenny Mankini Daniyan has rendered the financial and anti-smuggling performance of the command between January and September 2024.

Within these months, Comptroller Tenny Mankini Daniyan said the command collected a total of N239,233,530,265.48 into the coffers of thr government and seized various items including arms and ammunition worth a total duty paid value of N28,478,034.76.

During a third quarter press briefing, the Controller disclosed that the total collection for January to September 2024 is N53,448,500,240 higher than the N185,785,030,025.47 collected for January to September 2023, showing a 29 percent increase.

Daniyan said the command made the following seizures including arms and ammunition comprising of 2 pistols , 260 ammunition, empty shells and cartridges of different types  thereby preventing  dangerous importation from entering the country.

He explained that the showcasing of these live rounds of ammunition was 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 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. Engr. Vonkur David Nankpark, NESREA’s Head of Lagos Ports Operations received the seized items on behalf of the agency’s Director General

On the arms and ammunation, the Controller said they are under critical investigation before the normal handing over to the appropriate authority. A total of three (3) suspect were detained in the respect of these seizures and have been granted administrative bail.

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.