Clearing agents operating at Tin Can Island Port in Lagos yesterday embarked on a peaceful protest over increase of import duty collectable on vehicles to 70 per cent.
A similar protest had held at the neighbouring PTML command of the Customs last week over the same issue.
Clearing agents operating at Tin Can Island Port in Lagos yesterday embarked on a peaceful protest over increase of import duty collectable on vehicles to 70 per cent.
A similar protest had held at the neighbouring PTML command of the Customs last week over the same issue.
Apparently on the same page with their PTML counterparts, the clearing agents, who are mostly members of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) barricaded the Tin Can Island Command , Nigeria Customs Service for about six hours, insisting that the implementation of the new duty regime should be in July 2014 as previously agreed upon.
According to them, the policy on automobile is supposed to commence in July, but the government has commenced the collection through the customs.
Addressing journalists at the Tin Can port complex, the Western Zonal Coordinator of ANLCA, Sir John Ofobike stressed that the outcome of a meeting with customs will determine the continuation of the protest.
Ofobike alleged that the government has not been fair to the industry and added that the policy is not supposed to be effective now.
He urged the protesting agents to stay put, adding that the management of the customs will give reason for the hike on the tariff payable on vehicle.
On his part, Chairman Tin Can Island port, ANLCA, Prince Kayode Oyinlola lamented that "what government said they will commence by July, they have tactically introduced it last week"
Speaking further he said, "what we are saying is how can the government go back on their words because they said it will commence in July".
Also reacting, the Chairman PTML chapter of ANLCA; Bola Adesokan said that “we are going to meet with the customs for a final resolution on the issue and so far so good this protest will continue if they do not yield to our demand because it is not time for collection.
"We don't have issues with customs, we are only calling on government that it is not time to collect the hike, because our demand is that it is not yet time , federal government said July but this is not July then why, even if it is July they need to tell us", Adesokan stated.
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