The National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) has warned the federal government to ensure that the executive order on the ease of doing business in the port issued recently by the vice president, Prof Yemi Osibanjo should not be a mere word that will lose its presidential coercive powers in the face of pervasive corruption at the ports operations.
The association said this recently in an event in Lagos.
Speaking at the event, Acting President of NAGAFF, Mr. Increase Uche who was represented by the Rev Agubanju Emmanuel, said that the order is a welcome development as it is seen by the association as the most-needed corrective intervention by the government to enthrone a very friendly business environment at our ports and border stations.
He also maintained that the problems of ports and border stations are traceable to the government in terms of poorly articulated trade policies and half-hearted implementation by corrupt officials.
Mr. Uche also said that moat of our trade legislations are obsolete and the infrastructures are decayed while the government is generally insensitive to the tortuous hardship and yearnings of the business community.
"Our country is notorious in terms of policy summersault and inconsistency, resulting in massive exodus or scaring away of businesses and investors to other neighbouring countries of West and Central Africa"
He also said that "Both foreign and local investors are subjected to all manners of statutory registration, humongous payment in dues, levies and taxes" he concluded.
Discussion about this post