Importers of fairly used vehicles have commended the Nigeria Shippers' Council over moves to reduce charges payable on consignments cleared from the nations ports, saying that such actions when properly managed after the pending court injunction will bring about drastic reduction in the prices of cars.
The importers also stated that there is need for the RORO terminal operators at the port to reduce their charges for clearing of vehicles from their respective terminals.
Importers of fairly used vehicles have commended the Nigeria Shippers' Council over moves to reduce charges payable on consignments cleared from the nations ports, saying that such actions when properly managed after the pending court injunction will bring about drastic reduction in the prices of cars.
The importers also stated that there is need for the RORO terminal operators at the port to reduce their charges for clearing of vehicles from their respective terminals.
According to them, the charges by shipping companies and terminal operators on imported vehicles are high and it has also affected the cost of vehicles in the market.
Speaking with Auto Port Weekly in Lagos last week, an importer, Stephen Uzonuoma commended the council's move to ensure that charges on vehicles cleared out of the ports are fair.
He noted that the Nigeria Shippers’ Council has the shippers and their principals’ at heart, noting that the port economic regulator has a listening ear.
The importer reiterated that the federal government and the National Assembly should intervene stressing that the court case is not the solution to the many challenges faced by port users and the maritime sector in general.
Uzonuoma appealed to freight forwarders, importers and government agencies to assist the council to achieve its set goals.
On his part, Chairman Sox Auto Limited, Festus Ogene appealed to the council to find a way to slash the cost of clearing vehicles from the port.
He said all conditions that are applicable to containers should also apply yo vehicles imported into the ports.
"Apart from hike in high duty on the clearance of imported vehicles collected by the Nigeria Customs, the terminal operators and shipping companies also contribute to the high cost of clearing vehicles from the port”, he stated.
The importer also affirmed that the high cost of clearing of automobile in the Nigeria ports has made importers to look at neighbouring ports of West Africa.
He pointed out that the intervention of the council in commercial relationships between users and providers of shipping and terminal handling services in all the nation's ports is commendable, stressing that government should assist the council to perform better as the nation’s port economy regulator.
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