The National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) has said that activities were yet to improve at the various ports since the ban on importation of vehicles through land borders became effective.
Mr Stanley Ezenga, the National Publicity Secretary of the association, disclosed this in Lagos last week
The Federal Government had on Dec. 5, 2016 announced the ban on importation of vehicles through the land borders, which took effect on Jan.1.
Ezenga said reports from freight forwarders on the field revealed that the various ports had not been able to attract the anticipated high influx of vehicle cargoes which the new policy was poised to achieve.
“We don’t think this is a problem as the policy has just started and there is still time to evaluate the whole thing.
“We think importers who were used to diverting cargoes to the neighbouring countries’ ports are not responding because they think that government might change its mind so that they can continue to use the borders.
“We are in support of this policy and we believe the ban will achieve its objective in time.’’
He said the fact that vehicle dealers in Cotonou in the Republic of Benin, were already lamenting following the commencement of the policy showed that Nigeria had been losing so much revenue to the neighbouring countries’ ports.
Ezenga said that the country would have reaped so much if the policy had been introduced before now.
The spokesman urged Nigerians to envision the economic benefits of the policy and give the government the necessary support to achieve its objectives.
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