Listen to story here
In a move aimed at strengthening operational efficiency and trade facilitation, the Managing Director of Port and Terminal Multi-Services Limited (PTML), Mr. Ascanio Russo, on Thursday officially handed over a newly furnished office complex with modern Information and Communications Technology (ICT) facilities to the Nigeria Customs Service at the terminal within the Tin Can Island Port Complex, Lagos.
The gesture fulfils PTML’s commitment to providing additional office space for Customs officers at the terminal, reinforcing collaboration between private terminal operators and regulatory agencies to improve cargo operations.
Speaking during the handover ceremony, Russo described the project as a demonstration of PTML’s commitment to supporting Customs operations through improved working conditions that encourage efficiency, professionalism, and productivity.
According to him, the facility aligns with PTML’s broader objective of strengthening institutional partnerships for the benefit of port users and the Nigerian economy.
“This project symbolises our enduring partnership with the Nigeria Customs Service and our collective determination to improve operational standards at the port. We promised additional office space to complement existing facilities, and today we are proud to deliver a modern, comfortable, and functional workspace for officers,” Russo said.
He added that regulatory agencies perform more effectively when provided with the right work environment, expressing confidence that the facility would improve productivity, operational effectiveness, and seamless cargo movement at the terminal.
Russo also commended officers and men of the PTML Command for their professionalism and contributions to cargo throughput and government revenue generation despite operational challenges.
Receiving the facility on behalf of the Nigeria Customs Service, the Customs Area Controller of the PTML Command, Comptroller Joe Anani, expressed appreciation to PTML for what he described as a timely and impactful intervention.
Anani noted that a conducive workplace is essential for effective performance and morale, stressing that the office complex would significantly improve administrative efficiency and operational coordination within the command.
“This is truly a dream come true for us. I understand the project had been in the pipeline for some time, so witnessing its completion during my tenure gives me immense satisfaction. PTML has demonstrated genuine commitment and partnership through this laudable gesture,” he said.
According to him, modern workspaces directly influence efficiency and staff motivation, adding that the facility would enhance operational capacity and support Customs’ mandate of facilitating legitimate trade while ensuring compliance with government regulations.
Stakeholders at the event said the development is expected to support faster cargo clearance, improved administrative processes, and stronger collaboration between terminal operators and regulatory agencies—key factors in enhancing efficiency within Nigeria’s maritime sector.
PTML, Nigeria’s leading roll-on roll-off terminal, handles vehicle and container imports while providing integrated logistics and terminal services. The terminal has continued to support maritime trade through investments in infrastructure, operational efficiency, and technology-driven cargo handling systems designed to improve productivity and reduce cargo dwell time.
