Nigeria Customs Targets 2-Hour Vehicle Clearing At Lagos Roll-On Roll-Off Port

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) is targeting 2-hour vehicles clearing at Lagos roll-on roll- off port. The service noted that its Port Terminal Multi-services Limited (PTML) Command was more committed towards supporting government’s drive for ease of doing business and trade facilitation in the port.

Its Area Controller, Comptroller Saidu Abba Yusuf, explained that PTML Command under his watch aimed to surpass its record of three hour cargo clearing for compliant traders, noting that the launch of time release study (TRS), which is ongoing and other deliberate efforts by the Comptroller General, had contributed in the expansion of terminal space and promoting ease of doing business in PTML.

He described PTML command as one of the safest and most secure environment for roll on roll off and general cargoes, advising importers and their agents to take advantage of the incentives available for compliant traders such as fast track, advance ruling and possible migration to the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) status.

Yusuf said that the importation of vehicles meant for Nigerian roads through neighbouring countries with intent to smuggle them through unapproved roads into Nigeria was unpatriotic and act of economic sabotage, adding that the command had the capacity for seamless and efficient processing of such automobile cargoes.

He stressed that any discovered infraction would lead to fully evoking the Nigeria Customs Service Act (NCSA), where there are spelt-out penalties. According to him, the command had the potentials to achieve two hour cargo clearance and surpass its existing three hours record if port users compliance level is improved upon.

He reminded port users in PTML of the robust and time conscious dispute resolution mechanism, which had contributed immensely to the revenue collection, trade facilitation and anti smuggling functions of the command.

While commending the various government and private sector stakeholders for their cooperation and support towards realisation of government goal of revenue collection and prevention of unlawful activities, he expressed optimism that the command would surpass it’s annual target for the year. Yusuf added that the command had collected N66.9 billion as total revenue for first quarter of 2024, which was N22.19 billion higher than the N44.72 billion collected between January and March 2023 representing 49.6 per cent increase.

For the second quarter and first half of the year, the comptroller urged officers of the command to maximally deploy available technology and rededicate themselves to the job to achieve more. He reminded the port users that there is increased anti smuggling vigilance to uncover concealment such as under declaration and smuggling of prohibited items. Meanwhile, the command had said that it was targeting N414 billion as revenue for the year 2024.

The Public Relations Officer and Chief Superintendent of Customs, Yakubu Mohammad, noted that the command would be required to generate not less than N1.5 billion daily, stressing the success of the command in fulfilling its core mandates, including revenue generation, trade facilitation, anti-smuggling activities and national security