The Nigerian Association of Master Mariners has called for reduction of tariff payable on imported vehicles to make it affordable to ordinary citizens.
The National President of the association; Captain Tajudeen Alao, who said this recently in a chat with Shipping Position Daily in Lagos also said that review on the ban of importation of vehicles through land borders is long overdue.
“On the review on the ban of the land importation of vehicles, to me you can’t give what you don’t have, the duties on these vehicles are very high and therefore the cost of vehicles is very expensive”
He said that more than 80% of Nigerians are poor , and called for the urgent need to bring down the tariffs on the vehicles adding that the high tariff has made vehicles extremely high in Nigeria.
He also said the move will help promote and increase cross border activities in the country.
“Imagine a new Land Cruiser cost N36million in a country that 80% people are poor and you know our roads are not good. So if they can bring down the tariff, it will be good it will also help our economy and the cross border activities will be reduced. Somebody can bring car from any part of the West African country pay his normal duty and drive his car any how he wants it. I think it is a good development”, he said.
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