The CAC of the PTML Command of the NCS, Comptroller Okun, FO making his points during the interview.
Story by Dili Utomi.
The men and officers of the Port Terminal Multi-Services Limited (PTML) Command of the Nigeria Customs Service is continuing in the upward trajectory in the performance of its statutory functions of trade facilitation and revenue generation.
A look at the records in terms of cargo through put, revenue generated and the general busines environment shows a marked improvement in all aspects of their operations.
In a chat with some journalists at his office on Thursday, the Customs Area Controller of the Command, Comptroller Okun, FO stated that the discipline and the dedication of his men are giving impetus to the rising performance. He said that as at the end of September 2021, the Command recorded a generated revenue of Nineteen Billion, Four Million, Seven Hundred And Fifty Five Thousand, Nine Hundred And Eighty Three (#19,004,755,983.00) Naira only. The figure is against the Seventeen Billion, Four Hundred And Seven Million, Three Hundred And Seventy Eight Thousand, Seventy (#17,407,378,070.00) Naira only recorded in the corresponding month in 2020. The record shows an increased revenue of One Billion, Five Hundred And Ninety Seven Million, Three Hundred And Seventy Seven Thousand, Nine Hundred And Thirteen (#1,597,377,913.00) Naira only.
CAC Okun stressing some points during the interview.
CAC Okun stated that for the third quarter between July to September, the revenue generated was Sixty Billion, Three Hundred And Seventy Two Million, Four Hundred And Twelve Thousand, Three Hundred And Ninety Four Naira (#60,372,412,394.00) only as against the Fifty Billion, Two Hundred And Sixteen Million, Two Hundred And Forty Two Thousand, Five Hundred And Thirteen Naira, Thirty Kobo (#50,216,242,513.30) only generated over the corresponding quarter of 2020. The figure for the third quarter of this year has an increase of over Ten Billion Naira over the same period for last year as indicated.
It is noteworthy to state that the Command has a staff strength of five hundred and fifty five men and officers with no record of indiscipline or reprimand over the period under review.
A comparative analysis of the figures on generated revenue for the nine months of January to September of 2020 and 2021 also shows a general increase over the period as the sum of One Thirty Eight Billion, Thirty Four Million, Nine Hundred And Fifty Eight Thousand, One Hundred And Twelve Naira (#138,034,958,112,00) was generated over the period in 2020 while the sum of One Hundred And Sixty Five Billion, Twenty One Million, Six Hundred And Fourteen Thousand, Six Hundred And Forty Five Naira (#165,021,614,645.00) was generated in the corresponding nine months of 2021 and this represents 20% general increase in the generated revenue.
The figure also shows a total of Three Hundred And Thirty Six Million, Seventy Three Thousand, One Hundred And Seventy Three Naira (#336,073,173.00) only issued as demand notice for the third quarter of 2021.
The cargo through put comparative analysis of the record of the Command for January to September 2020 and 2021 shows that in 2020 the Berthed Vessels were 115, Containers were 23,300, Vehicles were 97,361 and general cargo was 31,095 packages as against the record of 2021 with Berthed Vessels having a record of 135, Containers 26,613, Vehicles 171,491 and General Cargo having 22,716 packages.
The export record over the third quarter of 2021 also shows a great sign as a total of 39,458,054 metric tonnes of materials with a Free On Board (FOB) value of Twenty Three Billion, One Hundred And Forty Nine Million, Eighty Nine Thousand, Four Hundred And Twenty Eight Naira, Sixty Kobo (#23,149,089,428.60) only were exported. These items comprised mainly of cocoa, sesame seeds, palm oil and other agricultural products.
The CAC said that they have been working peacefully with the five private terminals where vehicles are cleared and that it has been so far so good.
He also said that they have been achieving the 24 hours clearance time period for cargoes from the time of receiving cargoes from the ship to the Customs to the time of release. He noted that auto dealers are now taking advantage of the fast paced nature of clearance to move cargoes through the Ports and particularly his Command to have their cargoes cleared, though he noted that some die-hard smugglers have elected to remain in their illicit trade.
On the issue of the fact of the bad access roads not affecting performance as they still perform creditably well in spite of the situation, he said that there is what is called the environmental determinism and also environmental possibilism, one forces you to work in a certain way while the other points to what is achievable under the circumstances and that is what they figured out and what they are using. On the issue of Customs community relations, he said that what they try to do is to set very good examples and then move to having a robust stakeholders forum where all intentions and operations are communicated clearly to all stakeholders and these are resolutely implemented. He also noted that the incidents of concealments and wrong declarations have actually reduced over time, hence the general rise in generated revenue.
The CAC added that the issue of additional valuation for cargoes has drastically reduced as a result of improved compliance in the honest declaration of consignments and in the amount of duty paid.
For more information, please call us on 08027590195, 08035721540 or email us @ greatalternativenigltd@gmail.com
