…As Group Urges FG To Encourage Shippers On Vehicles Import Through Seaports

Following the recent ban on vehicles importation through land borders, the Save Nigeria Freight Forwarders Importers Exporters Coalition has appealed to the Federal Government to put in place measures that could encourage importers of vehicles to ship both used and new vehicles into the country through seaports in large numbers.
Coordinator of the group Chief Patrick Osita Chukwu made the plea in a chat with Auto port Weekly in Lagos, even as he commended government decision to ban such commodities from the land borders.
Osita maintained that Nigeria, as a country must not be putting policies that are anti- citizens, adding that it is time for the government to look inward and ensure that the duty payable on imported vehicles are slashed to favour importation.
The group’s frontman added that the present state of the seaports need to be enjoy extra  attention by both the private and public sector because importation cars  and other items are currently  at the lowest ebb since 2014.
He said in line with the new directive to ban cars from the borders, vehicles importation to seaports would experience a boost, adding the right policy to encourage import would make the ports experience massive throughput.
‘’We cannot allow neighbouring ports in West Africa to continue to short-change Nigerians, all in the name of importation, we commend the government for the decision to ban cars from land borders because of our policies have made some other smaller countries to be richer’’
‘’For our ports to be competitive, I think the best way to encourage importation of cars to our seaports is for government to reduce the duty payable on cars and even other cargoes generally’’, he said.
According to him, the issue on duty and levy on imported vehicles should be reviewed to encourage importers.
‘’The ban will create jobs for Nigerians because clearing of such consignments from the ports is a process which will involve many people in the transport chain.’’
The group coordinator however advised that for the seaports to handle large number of vehicles once again, there is the need to put in place measures in addressing the exchange rate between dollar and naira.