Joseph Bakare
Customs Area Controller of Ports Terminal Multiservices Limited (PTML) Command, Comptroller Tenny Daniyan on Wednesday revealed that the new customs trading platform B’Odogwu has recorded significant success since it was rolled out in the area as it’s pilot stage with increased revenue.
Daniyan said with the platform the Command’s revenue has increased with the collection of N44.9b in November 2024 which is the highest monthly collection ever made by the command.
Daniyan said in addition to over 5 banks already hooked up to the system, the NCS ICT/Modernisation Department has concluded arrangement for the (17) banks that are on interswitch payment platform coming onboard. The Customs headquarters have started interactions with the banks and this would be addressed by Thursday, he said.
The Area Controller said information alleging that four vessels have been unattended to at the PTML berth due to B’Odogwu failure is untrue. He disclosed that the command met with some of the stakeholders earlier in the week where all issues bordering on the challenges experienced by agents were addressed and they were advised to engage the implementation team for further assistance
He added that to facilitate trade, the command has bent backwards by applying manual methods to process cargoes and has established interface with the terminal operator to accommodate port users that have made entries on the platform.
The Controller said most agents claiming inability to capture have not registered on the platform and urged them to come forward for capture to address any challenge.
The CAC said “B’Odogwu is a Nigerian baby that should be fed by Nigerians . We are weaning our baby from a foreign mother and I urge all Nigerians to support it. We are not going back to NICIS II. The use of NICIS II platform has come to an end in PTML as this is the position of the Service.
” We are aware that some of our agents are yet to be fully acquainted with the additional requirements that were not involved in NICIS II. As the problems come up, we are solving them.
“Note that the management has dispatched an implementation team here to ensure our stakeholders don’t suffer. We were disconnected from NICIS II three months ago and we have fully commenced implementation to grow our own teeth and serve the country better. We have left NICIS here in PTML.
“We are committed to get it right here before moving to Tin Can and other ports. Our turn around time for properly declared RoRo cargo is still two hours but this is dependent on compliance by the declarant. As a command, we will not sacrifice national security and revenue on the altar of trade facilitation.
” So far in November,292 bills of laden have been captured in November, 375 are yet to capture. As at today, Wednesday over 98 people have paid their duties under B’Odogwu platform as more banks are coming on board” he said