ABUJA: Following the Executive Order issued by Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, the Port and Terminal Multi-Purpose Service Limited, PTML, command of Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, has commenced six hourly clearance of cargoes at ports. The command also raked in over N40 billion between January and June 2017, against the N27 billion generated within the same period of 2016 Disclosing this to newsmen yesterday, Customs Area Comptroller, CAC, Controller Aremu Adeyanju, explained that an importer could get his or her cargo out of the port within 24 hours, if such importer submits the necessary papers in good time. “PTML Command is a model port, it is suppose to be standard for other ports, it is about the only port you can get your goods out in 24 hours. At times, we clear cargo in six hours, particularly vehicles and other imports.
“PTML command is in full compliance with ease of doing business and 24 hours port operations initiatives of the Federal Government,” she stated Aremu attributed the increase in its revenue generation to the ban on the importation of vehicles through land borders, adding that only last month, the command collected more than N8 billion. She said: “Cargo examination is carried for only two hours daily and every agency involved in the process is present and because the terminal is not a container terminal, we do not waste time in clearing imports. “We have also enjoyed a robust relationship with other stakeholders as we are not out to witchhunt anyone and nobody is out to witch hunt us, there is synergy and the level of compliance to trade regulation is high” She also disclosed that she has resorted to going to work by boat as a result of Apapa traffic gridlock.
