The new Customs Area Controller of PTML Command, Comptroller Suleman Bomai has reassured all port users at the Ports Terminal Multiservices Ltd (PTML) that he will always encourage facilitation of trade, constant dialogue and prompt dispute resolution for all stakeholders.
Comptroller Bomai was speaking at a meeting with sister government agencies, private sector operators, freight forwarders and representatives of Grimaldi, operators of the terminal.
The newly introduced fast-track 2.0 being put in place by the management of the Nigeria Customs Service, he explained, will assist compliant businesses to grow and in the long run build a robust economy. He therefore urged importers and their agents to embrace voluntary compliance at all times.
The CAC who described licensed customs agents and freight forwarders as great contributors to government coffers at a time attention is high on non-oil sources of revenue, commended Grimaldi for maintaining a high level security and safety at the PTML terminal.
CAC Bomai who described sister government agencies as strategic partners also identified members of the business community using PTML Port as strategic stakeholders that deserve to be treated with utmost dignity.
“Stakeholder meetings with our strategic partners and stakeholders are now part of our responsibility as mandated by the Customs headquarters and by the CGC.
“The strategic stakeholders are the Customs agents and others that are involved in the supply chain, and the strategic partners are the government agencies that are teaming up with us in the supply chain, which is very critical for us if we want to move this country forward.
“The Nigeria Customs Service prides itself as one of the most automated agencies in Nigeria today, and while we cannot claim to be 100% automated, we are at least 70%. And the hallmark of the service is modernization.
“The process of research and development, producing innovations and products that we can sell and our stakeholders can buy. This Interaction is therefore very necessary to get useful feedbacks
“It is part of our duty to sensitize them, and through that one, you can rest assured that there will be a positive impact on the economy, revenue and society itself, and people will get to understand and know the NCS better.
“Strategic stakeholders’ and partners’ engagement has become part of our responsibility as mandated by the CGC, and we should ensure that we engage them monthly in this process.
“We want to drive the process forward for a positive impact on the Nigerian economy. This is the message from the Nigeria Customs Service, and we will keep on doing our best.
He assured that the Customs would not let down the trust of 200 million Nigerians that has been bestowed on it.
