Following the recent protests over duty hike on imported vehicles by the Federal Government , clearing agents operating at the seaports have been commended by importers and automobile dealers who said the agents ’action was to protect the business interest of Nigerians.
The operators also commended all the freight forwarding associations in Nigeria for making the government to understand why it must reverse to status quo in respect of the automobile policy.
Following the recent protests over duty hike on imported vehicles by the Federal Government , clearing agents operating at the seaports have been commended by importers and automobile dealers who said the agents ’action was to protect the business interest of Nigerians.
The operators also commended all the freight forwarding associations in Nigeria for making the government to understand why it must reverse to status quo in respect of the automobile policy.
Some the dealers who spoke with Auto Port Weekly in Lagos last week blamed the coordinating minister of finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala for allegedly failing to carry out proper consultations before rolling out the automobile policy which they described as anti-Nigeria.
They also described the minister's attitude toward government policy as too weak to boost the economy of the nation.
Chairman Auto Splash Limited; Mr. Harrison Okwudili called on unions and associations that are involved in the clearing of vehicles from the seaports to have a mutual understanding that will move the automobile industry forward.
Okwudili told Auto Port Weekly that the new policy on vehicle means well for the country, but added that the timing is what most Nigerians are concerned about.
The importer explained that: " I want to believe that it is the protest by clearing agents two weeks ago that made the government to put a stop to the new automotive policy, and I also want to believe that the government has a listening ear, so we want them to have a rethink on the policy."
The importer called on the various freight forwarding associations to kick against any government policies that will affect the economy pointing out that policies on importation has been unfriendly in the last week years.
Okwudili also appealed to freight forwarding associations to speak with a single voice when dealing with government concerning certain policies that will cripple the economy.
Similarly, a dealer in fairly used buses, at the Freedom Park, Mile 2 in Apapa; Mr. Frank Obuso lamented government’s exclusion of stakeholders’ input in policy formation with regards to customs import and export procedures.
The fairly-used bus dealer also urged government to carry stakeholders in the automobile business along so as to advice it certain issues that will bring about progress to the Nigerian economy.
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