All is set for the full implementation of the new Federal Government policy on automobile today, ending weeks of high-level lobbying by stakeholders, who had wanted a delay in the aspect that concerns payment of 35 per cent levy on all imported used vehicles.
Under the new policy, vehicles imported into the country with effect from today, July 1 2014 will attract a duty of 35 per cent and a levy of 35 per cent.
All is set for the full implementation of the new Federal Government policy on automobile today, ending weeks of high-level lobbying by stakeholders, who had wanted a delay in the aspect that concerns payment of 35 per cent levy on all imported used vehicles.
Under the new policy, vehicles imported into the country with effect from today, July 1 2014 will attract a duty of 35 per cent and a levy of 35 per cent.
And to demonstrate its preparedness, the Nigeria Customs said it was unaware of any lobby for extension and that it has not received any directive to extend implementation date.
The National Public Relations Officer (PRO) of Customs; Mr Wale Adeniyi told Shipping Positing Daily that, “the effective date of implementation is tomorrow (today).
“I am not aware of any lobby, if there is any; it should be directed at the appropriate quarters where policies are made”, the image maker of Customs said yesterday.
The Federal Government had last week insisted that there was no going back on the July 1, 2014 deadline set for the commencement of the 70 per cent tariff on imported new cars, but it also added that there will be an extension on the levy payable on used vehicles to January 1, 2015.
A statement confirming the extension on used vehicles and the July 1, 2014 implementation date on other aspect of the policy was signed last week by Director, Policy and Planning at the National Automotive Council (NAC); Mr. Luqman Mamudu, who declared that today’s commencement date, “remains sacrosanct and there is no intention whatsoever to subvert or postpone the auto policy.”
“The implementation of the NAIDP, as published in the Federal Government Official Gazette No. 33 of January, 2014, is still on course”, the statement had said.
But, at the Tin Can Island port command of the Customs; Mr Chris Osunkwo told our correspondent that, the command was not in receipt of any letter granting extension.
“We have been implementing the directive on 35 per cent duty, but by tomorrow, we will begin collection of 35 per cent levy in line with the auto policy”. He insisted that what the command has been collecting is the 35 per cent duty.
However, there was palpable apprehension among licensed customs agents over the commencement. There are rumours that the freight forwarding associations may be a reaction today.
However, the freight agents expressed divergent views on commencement date and its effect on imported fairly used vehicles.
Chairman Lilypond Chapter of NAGAFF, Reverend Emmanuel Agunbaeze appealed to the President Goodluck Jonathan and the ministers of trade and investment, and finance to listen to the masses.
Agubaneze called for an extension of the policy, even as he added there is the need for government to have a rethink on the said implementation.
According to him, there is no way it will favour the operators, and that the cost of vehicle may triple.
"We know that the president is a listening person and we hope he will do something about the extension", he said.
Also In a chat with our correspondent, a freight forwarder and Comrade Pius David said that there is the need for the government to extend the policy and even go back to the former regime of 10% levy on imported vehicles.
David noted that the automotive policy, put in place by government is welcome development, but the investors may frustrate the effort.
According to him, the minister of finance should issue a circular to the Nigeria Customs Service for an extension.
David noted that, "even though duty payment is 35% as at now, my own advice to the government through the minister of finance is to issue a circular to the customs informing them about a substantive extension."
He described the 70% duty and levy on imported vehicles as exploitation on the part of the government, adding that the adequate research was not carried out by the government.
However , there are unconfirmed reports that, the clearing agents are considering a shutdown of port activities, unless the extension that they sought for imported used vehicles was approved
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