One hundred ninety vehicles from the Ports & Terminal Multiservices Limited terminal at the Tin-Can Island Port in Lagos have been collected by successful bidders from the Nigeria Customs Service electronic auction. 

According to Tribune Online, the Customs Public Relations Officer of the PTML Customs Command, Muhammad Yakubu, announced this in a statement on Wednesday.

According to the statement, Comptroller Saidu Abba Yusuf, the Customs Area Controller of PTML Command, reiterated the command’s commitment to facilitating the smooth release of vehicles and containers won by bidders in the ongoing electronic auction of overtime cargoes.

Comptroller Yusuf described the online auction process as seamless and robust, highlighting its efficiency and potential for increased utilization. He emphasized the high priority placed on security at the PTML terminal, assuring winners of receiving their vehicles in the same condition as imported, with zero incidents of vandalism or theft.

“PTML Command is prepared and everything has been put in place to serve beneficiaries who bidded and won. Once there is a winner in this auction procedure, our officers are ready and it is a seamless process where there is no delay in line with our working procedure.

“Winners are expected to present their document and after paying the required amount, the officers go through to confirm that you are the beneficiary or the winner of that bid, then you will go to the terminal operator and pick up your vehicle.

“Like we have been saying all through the time, PTML is one of the safest places cargoes can be kept. From my experiences here, it is not just a terminal, it is a model port and the security is very tight. For you to access the port, you must be verified.

“It is not just a port where you walk in and walk out. As far as I am concerned, they are very serious in terms of the security situation here. You need to present why you are here and you need to have business with them before you can be allowed in. Most of the cargoes within the port are highly and heavily guarded.

“From my inspection of the port facilities, it is one of the best we can get in the country. Cargoes within the premises are very secure. We’ve not had cases of vandalism as far as I am concerned. None has been reported. I believe whoever wins the bid will get his vehicle exactly as it came into the country. I don’t think we have any bad report in terms of vandalism” he said

The electronic auction system, which opens for bidding every Tuesday from 12 noon to 6 pm, ensures transparency and equal opportunity for all Nigerians, regardless of location or social status. Winners of the 190 vehicles from PTML expressed satisfaction with the process, lauding the transparency and efficiency demonstrated by the Nigeria Customs Service.