In reaction to the House of Representatives decision to investigate the increase in the age limit of vehicles imported into Nigeria, auto dealers have condemned the move by the law makers even as they have advised that the age limit should be left the way it is.
The lawmakers had recently mandated its committees on the Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and Environment to investigate government’s decision to increase the age limit of imported used vehicles from 10 to 15 years.
In reaction to the House of Representatives decision to investigate the increase in the age limit of vehicles imported into Nigeria, auto dealers have condemned the move by the law makers even as they have advised that the age limit should be left the way it is.
The lawmakers had recently mandated its committees on the Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and Environment to investigate government’s decision to increase the age limit of imported used vehicles from 10 to 15 years.
The auto dealers have however condemned the move saying that it will post problems to the import business and by implication to the nation.
Some of the problems as highlighted by the operators are that the move will lead to smuggling and that Nigeria Customs Service will have to work assiduously to combat it both on land borders and this may further jeopardize their lives.
According to them, revenue meant for the country will then be diverted to neighboring countries of Togo and Benin Republic and importation of vehicles into the country will drop.
Chairman, Freedom Park Motor Dealers Association, Mr. Moses Adebusuyi told Shipping Position Daily in his office in Lagos that most of the vehicles in question that ply the Nigeria roads are strong and rugged when compared to those manufactured five years ago.
According to him, government should consider these factors on ground before coming up with the decision to increase the age limit of vehicle importation from 10 to 15 years in 2010.
Adebusuyi pointed out that the 2010 policy on age limit of used vehicles has made importers to embrace the nation’s seaports, a development which according to him has increased revenue collection for the Nigeria Customs.
‘’The vehicles in questions are the ones that the common man can afford and if you want to reduce the year, then they want to deprive the poor man from buying vehicles’’.
‘’The government should think of how to manufacture a made- in- Nigeria vehicle that can be affordable to all instead of encouraging used vehicles into the country’’.
‘’They lift the ban on importation of used vehicles into the country two years ago to encourage those who are smugglers to desist from it and bring in vehicles through the seaports, but today they are thinking on the other way round which simply means their policies are not guided ‘’.
In his opinion, 15- year old vehicles are more reliable on the Nigeria roads because currently the roads are bad.
‘’How often do such vehicles in question breakdown on our roads, if not for the fact that the roads are bad and car owners take care of their vehicles before leaving the house. The truth is that members of the House of Representatives who are investigating the issue of age limit of imported used vehicles can afford new cars but do not want the poor to own a car’’, he said.
In his response, Managing Director, Cargo Care Limited, Prince Ade Adeleye said that the investigation is uncalled for and that the move will create problems for the Nigeria Customs.
Adeleye noted that the 2010 policy on vehicles importation makes it easier for Nigerians to acquire their own cars and that most of the operators are satisfied with the law.
On his part director, Sunrise Motor Dealers Association, Pastor Uzor Andrew said, ‘’if government eventually reduces the age limit from what it is, then everybody will move to Cotonou port to buy ‘’.
In his opinion, government should rather think of how to increase the age limit from 15 to 20 years and increase customs duty payable on them, he said that this will further boost revenue collection.
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