PTML Customs Command Collects N46.8bn Revenue
The Ports Terminal Multservices Limited (PTML) Command of Nigeria Customs Service has reported N46,850,639,870 as total revenue collection for the first quarter of 2021.
The collection was contained in a 2021 first quarter press statement issued by Customs Public Relations Officer for the command Yakubu Mohammed
According to him the total collection for first quarter in the command is higher than what was collected same period of last year with a difference of N1,446,991,000.1 above N45,403,648,869.90
Giving a month by month breakdown of first quarter collections with 2020 comparison, it shows N15,205,823,545 collected in January 2021 which was -7.6 percent lesser than the N16,456, 582,954.22 collected in January 2020.
In February 2021 the command collected N11,706,947,150 which is -11.9 percent lesser than the N13,300,872,189.64 collected same period last year and in March 2021 there was total collection of N19,937,869,175 which is 27.4 percent higher than the N15,646,193,726.4 collected in March last year.
The earlier shortfalls recorded in the first two months of this year is attributable to low volume of trade occaissioned by the lull in economic activities due to Covid19 pandemic.
Mohammed quoted Customs Area Controller in charge of PTML advising vehicle importers to use Nigerian ports and avoid smuggling cars through land borders
“Customs Area Controller (CAC) of the command, Comptroller Festus Okun has enjoined importers and agents using the PTML port for their businesses to imbibe and sustain good business etiquettes like sincere declarations, prompt duty payment and keeping to all other extant rules as contained in the Customs and Excise Management Act (CEMA) and other guidelines.
“He advised that they continually acquaint themselves with import and export prohibition lists and seek appropriate clarifications where necessary on areas like Harmonised System (HS) code to achieve flawless classification of their cargoes.
“Comptroller Okun reiterated at the beginning of the year that with compliance with the rules, cargoes can be exited from customs control within four hours of entries in PTML.
“The CAC also advised dealers in vehicular cargoes to avoid smuggling through the borders as PTML being a roll on roll off (RoRo) port can meet their demands and expectations.
“With compliance and prompt duty payment, vehicles can be cleared within four hours from our port. This is faster than importing through any neighbouring country and later attempting to smuggle such vehicles into Nigeria through land borders.
“I wish to remind members of the business community, particularly those involved in vehicle importation, that the ban on bringing in vehicles into the country through the land borders subsists. People doing this are at risk of their vehicles being seized and them being arrested.
“Our hands on trade facilitation drive makes PTML user friendly and cost effective for users and will continue to meet importers and agents expectations without compromising national security” Okun said
“While thanking officers and men for their commitment and dedication to duty, Comptroller Okun added that the command will always strive to ensure maximum collection of revenue due to the government by preventing areas of leakages and issuing demand notices to make up for discovered shortfalls.
