The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Port Terminal Multiservices Ltd. (PTML) Command, has reiterated its readiness to facilitate easy release of vehicles and containers won by bidders in the ongoing-electronic auction process of overtime cargoes.
The Customs Area Controller of PTML Command, Comptroller Saidu Yusuf, said this in a statement on Wednesday in Lagos.
The statement was signed by the Chief Superintendent of Customs, Muhammad Yakubu, the Public Relations Officer of the command.
Yusuf described the process of auctioning through the online portal https://auction.nigeriatradehub.gov.ng as very seamless, robust, under-utilised and efficient enough to accommodate more entries.
On the safety of vehicles in PTML, Yusuf said operators of the terminal place high priority on security.
He, however, assured the winners of getting their vehicles the exact way they were imported into the country.
Yusuf said the command had zero incidences of vandalism and theft in the terminal.
“PTML command is prepared and everything has been put in place to serve beneficiaries who bidded and won.
“Winners are expected to present their documents and after paying the required amount, the officers confirm the beneficiary or the winner of that bid, then the beneficiary proceeds to the terminal operator to pick their vehicle.
“Like we have been saying everytime, PTML is one of the safest places cargo can be kept, it is not just a terminal, it is a model port and the security is very tight as one is verified before accessing the port,” he said.
While congratulating the winners of the 190 vehicles from the PTML, Yusuf said the system opens for bidding every Tuesday from noon to 6.00 p.m. to verify persons with Tax Identification Numbers generated from the Federal Inland Revenue Service, amongst other conditions.
On the level of transparency of the system, Yusuf said “you don’t need to know anyone as the people who have come forward are Nigerians from different locations and most of them never knew anyone in the NCS or port environment.”
He said some of the winners who reside in different parts of Nigeria were on the ground in Lagos to receive their vehicles at the PTML Mile 2 terminal.
A few of the winners who spoke shortly after receiving their vehicles described the process as easy, transparent and commended the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR for making it possible for all Nigerians irrespective of class and location to benefit from the auction.
Mr Godwin Aguddah, one of the winners from Abuja, applauded the initiative.
Aguddah urged other government agencies to take a leaf from customs in the area of transparently using technology to promote trade.
