The Committee on Customs and Excise, headed by Senator Hope Uzodinma, has been advised by operators in car dealership sub sector of the economy, to ensure proper investigations into how the policy of the ban of vehicles through the land bother will impoverish millions of Nigerians.
The car dealers affirmed that Berger automobile Market, which they claimed is the largest fairly-used car market in Africa alone, could account for more than 25million indirect jobs, calling on the committee to get positive information that could further educate them on the controversial policy.
The operators have also commended the Nigerian Senate for listening to the cries of the masses, even as they maintained that the policy is anti – people.
Auto Port Weekly recalls that the Senate last week called for the reversal of the Federal Government policy banning importation of vehicles into the country through land borders.
Similarly, the lawmakers, who criticized the policy during plenary last week, described the ban as anti-poor.
But in a chat with Auto Port Weekly, on the development, an Ikeja-based car dealer; Stephen Uzonuoma urged the Senate to visit the Berger Market and also speak with clearing agents to understand the negative implication of the policy.
The car dealer argued that the auto policy has caused more harms to Nigerians than good, adding that ‘’even the manufacturers of cars in Nigeria are lamenting based on the facts that other policies are encouraging their investment.
Chairman Popson Park ,Berger International Auto Market , Comrade Moses Ilima affirmed that the move by the Senate to reject the ban of vehicles from the land borders was a morale booster to car dealers , importers and other stakeholders.
Ilima noted that, ‘’if the Senate succeeds in the move, I can tell you that it is the best thing they have done for Nigerians because we all know that the manufacturing companies are not really producing these made-in-Nigerian cars’’
‘’It is a welcome development and if this particular policy is rescinded, then it will boost the morale of operators in the business’’
He however urged the Senate committee on Customs and Excise to meet with the car dealers for first-hand information about the benefits inherent in the business.
According to him, the car dealers are in a better position to advise the legislature on the merit and demerit of the policy.
However, a former Chairman, Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents [ANLCA] Seme Chapter, Mr. Anthony Nzekwe lampooned the Comptroller General of Customs, Hameed Ali for allegedly being adamant on the policy, despite the Senate intervention.
Nzekwe said the CG of Customs was playing to the gallery, adding that, ’’the CG does not understand how these things work’’.
He also added that the ANLCA still wants government to reverse the policy.
Discussion about this post