Pst. Andrew Uzor ( Car Dealer)
Pst. Andrew Uzor ( Car Dealer)
The policy is actually not going to work, but my advice is that we should wait and see what the outcome would be on all the policy that surround vehicles importation into the country and importers that are bringing cars into the country as well are watching the situation too . I wish they could explain better to Nigerians why we must pay this duty and levy, I think that there is a strong disagreement among them and until a reconciliation is made between the ministers and even the Customs, then the clearing agents can come together and resolve this issues, because it is impossible for anyone to say that the auto policy is working or will work for now or will work in the future.
Mr. Simeon Nwonu (NAGAFF)
When you talk about the auto policy, there is a lot of controversy, debate, argument and disagreement that is surrounding it, and I think the whole thing is done in a hurry. Now when you go to the port you will see lot of confusion, because the customs are interested in collecting their own revenue although they said that it will enhance their own revenue, and what I see is that they don’t have human feeling at all. For example people who pay 35% of the duty are being forced to pay more and this alone is creating discomfort, and disruption on the economic even some freight forwarder are currently having problems with their importers. So, the blame should go to the government and my advice is that government should suspend the new levy and give at least one year for importers, freight forwarder and also port operators to be sensitized before the policy will be implemented next year.
Chigozie A. Chikere (Rector, EMDEE School)
I think they are in a hurry to implement the new policy, what I understand there is that the manufacturers have plan to start assembling here in Nigerian. But we have not seen the plan, and if the policy which the government has plans to implement is actualized, then they can talk about bringing a new one. But if the plan of the Auto Policy is to impose much levy on importers and agents without any question, then its bad. So, I believe Nigerians are not in a hurry, we want to see the vehicles before we can now say that yes Nigeria has got to the level where they can now talk about implementing their own auto policy.
Increase Uche (Sec General NAGAFF)
It is still a new policy and people are still planning to make adjustment, particularly those overseas that are into vehicles and cars importation business. My own understanding is that it has actually come to stay, one is that Nigerian is not the only country that brings in the idea of importation of second hand vehicles, when you check on-line you will discover that none of the foreign importers impose their duties not less than 50% to 75%. But the advantage of all this is that we will stand to gain from the policy if we allow the policy to work, because we have seen that most people are reluctant to follow changes, knowing full well that we are losing our businesses as a freight forwarder and it is adding to the suffering of the masses. At the same time if the federal government could support the revival of the auto industry, the manufacturing plant and then get them working it will be an added advantage particularly for freight forwarders. Although the logistics departments of all those companies are to be managed by us, we are pleading with the government to try and maintain the 35% duty rate that is existing now.
Mr. Vincent Ajanonwu (PCC)
The federal government is indeed in a hurry to put in place such a policy because supposing they were able to carry the critical stakeholders along, I don't think we are supposed to talk about it in the first place. The greatest disadvantage of the policy is that it will lead to massive job loss and it will bring about hardship to so many people. The policy will also lead to cargo diversion to other neighbouring countries in West Africa. The truth is that we have a government that does not care about the welfare of the people and that is why the various policies have not helped in anyway.
Pius David (Port Activist)
Nigeria is ripe enough to have its own vehicles that are manufactured locally, but the truth is that government is always in a hurry when it comes to policy making. The ministries and parastatals involved in the automotive policy should go back to the drawing board and make some amendments, because it is coming at the wrong time where things are relatively hard. All the proposals made by the trade and investment minister are of good intention, but the time is not ripe for it and above all the federal government should allow things to work on their own.
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