Nigeria: PTML Command generates N239B, uncovers concealed weapons, ammunition in imported vehicle [IMAGES]

The Port Terminal Multiservices Limited(PTML) Command of Nigeria Customs Service has Collected a total of N239,233,530,265.48(Two hundred and thirty nine billion, two hundred and thirty three million, five hundred and thirty thousand, two hundred and sixty five naira, forty-eighty kobo) as revenue for the months of January to September 2024.

During a third quarter press briefing, Controller of the command, Comptroller Tenny Mankini Daniyan 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.

On anti smuggling, Comptroller Daniyan said the command made seizures worth a total duty paid value of N28,478,034.76.

He 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.

SEIZURES MADE FROM CONTAINER.

1x40ft container No: ACLU9664782 found to contain-
i. 2,598 pieces of used motor tyres..
ii. 6 pieces of used fridges.
iii. 8 pieces of used Rug carpets.
iv. 2 pieces of used mattresses.
v. 2 bags containing used clothes, shoes and bags.
Duty Paid Value (DPV) = N8,009,436.00.
SEIZURES EXTRACTED FROM THE CONTAINER.
Foreign parboiled rice and vegetable oil extracted from 1x40ft container No:ACLU9810594.
i. 56 bags of premium parboiled rice (45.4kg each)
ii. 18 bags of Rice land parboiled rice (22.68kg each)
ii. 15 bags of premium parboiled rice (11.34kg each)
iv. 20 bags of premium parboiled rice (4.5kg each)
v. 18 kegs of soybean vegetable oil (15.87kg each) Duty Paid Value (DPV)= N6,512,400.00.

SEIZURES MADE FROM VEHICLES -PURCHASED ONLINE;

Twelve (12) rounds of 9mm Luger FC Blank ammunition and one (1) 9mm Luger live ammunitions extracted from one used MAZDA CX5 with DPV of N37,405.80.
Ten (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.
Fifty (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.
Fifty one (51) rounds of 12GA Winchester live cartridges extracted from one used LEXUS RX350 with DPV of N1,290,464
One (1) made in China SIGSAUER 1911 pistol with serial No: U03130962526 extracted from One used TOYOTA SIENNA with (DPV) of N241,354

8.One (1) 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.
Yet to be handed over to the relevant agency (DSS) pending the instruction from the CGC.

Five (5) rounds of 12GA live cartridges extracted from one used Toyota Tundra with DPV of N25, 304.
Total DPV = N28, 478,034.76.

He explained that 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 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.