Fairly-used automobile dealers and importers have appealed to the Federal Government to tackle issues surrounding duty payment on imported vehicles.
The operators from the automobile industry also advised the newly-appointed boss of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Colonel Hameed Ali (rtd)to liaise with the Presidency on how to revisit the policy which according to them, has brought hardship and massive drop in business.
Fairly-used automobile dealers and importers have appealed to the Federal Government to tackle issues surrounding duty payment on imported vehicles.
The operators from the automobile industry also advised the newly-appointed boss of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Colonel Hameed Ali (rtd)to liaise with the Presidency on how to revisit the policy which according to them, has brought hardship and massive drop in business.
Speaking with Auto Port Weekly in Lagos, last week, Managing Director, Path Automobile Company, Mr. Bernard Nwadigwe said government should reduce duty on vehicles imported into the country, saying that high cost of clearing has rendered the business less attractive.
Nwadigwe also appealed to the new Comptroller General of Customs to look inward and return duty on imported vehicles to 15%.
He also argued that if customs reduces duty payable on imported vehicles, the revenue of government will increase considering the fact that those that have initially abandoned the trade will return.
The dealer added that “government needs to reduce duty payable on imported cars into Nigeria, because as we speak there is no activities going on due to what is payable as duty "
On his part , another dealer; Stephen Uzonuoma advised the new Comptroller General of Customs to help the dealers to remain in business.
Uzonuoma opined that the Presidency and customs should brainstorm on how to address issues surrounding duty reduction, so that importers can resume mass importation of cars into the country.
He stated that, should the current high tariff payable on imported vehicles continue ,then it will be difficult for dealers remain in business.
He said the policy has affected the economy, and that Nigeria is losing its trades to neighbouring West African countries like Benin Republic, Ghana and Togo.
The importer of used vehicles also noted that the current duty on imported vehicle cannot be justifiable considering what the assembling plants are currently rolling out for Nigerians.
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