Mile 2 Export Area Extension to Reduce Delays in Movement of Export Cargoes- Bomai

 ... as PTML customs miss yearly target by 4%

Ejiro Thomas

Harboursandport.com: Lagos - With the Comptroller General of Customs recent approval of the extension of the Mile 2 export operating base, the immediate past Customs Area Controller (CAC), of Ports and Terminal Multiservice Limited (PTML), Suleiman Bomai, while giving a review of the Command's operations in 2022 has said that the extension of the Mile 2 export area would rapidly scale up exports in the coming years.

Bomai said that the development is in line with the federal government plan to diversify export products from petroleum to agricultural commodities with the goal of increasing foreign exchange and providing a favourable balance of trade for the country.

This development, he said, would significantly reduce travel time which is of utmost importance in shipping. 

"Right now, we have a dedicated place to cater for the export trade. Exporters now don't need to complain about delays in export. It has been inspected and given a clean bill of health. 

"Exporters don't need to queue on the roads going to Tincan Island from Mile2. They can now use their barges to move their containers of export in one day to Tincan Island port, Apapa port or PTML depending on the shipping company they want to use. Exporters must come forward and take advantage of that," he said.

Bomai also stated that last year had significant impact on the Command as most shipments handled by the command are vehicles. Hence, trade policies such as the adoption  of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) in determining the duty paid value of cargoes discouraged many importers from trading. 

This, he said, led to a 40% drop in vehicle shipments last year as the Command missed it's projected revenue by 4%. 

His words: "About eighty percent of the cargo handled in the terminal were vehicles. As a customs command, we employed dialogue with our strategic stakeholders on the need to understand the basis of VIN valuation and engaged them severally to solicit their cooperation. 

"In the year 2022, the Command generated a total revenue of Two hundred and twenty-nine billion, four hundred and seventy-three million, nine hundred and twelve thousand, nine hundred and seventy- six naira, ninety-seven kobo (N229,473,912,976.97) only. This represents about Ninety-six percent of the revenue target of Two hundred and thirty eight billion, two hundred and twenty four million, nine hundred and twenty thousand, thirty-eight naira, eighty-eight kobo (N238,224,920,038.88) only set for 2021 adopted by the Command in 2022," he said.

As the Service moves towards becoming fully automated and operating at it's best, Bomai stated that lack of scanners and insufficient space represent the most pressing needs of the Command. He thanked the Comptroller General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali (Rtd) CFR and his entire management team for their support of the Command and the officers of the PTML Command for their team spirit and consistency in working towards our set goals.