Vehicle dealers in Sokoto State have urged the Federal Government to rescind the ban on importation of vehicles through land borders.
The Chairman of the Motor Dealers Association in the state, Alhaji Muntari Mafia, made the call in an interview with newsmen last week.
He said rescinding the decision would be part of efforts to get Nigeria out of recession.
He said: “This is to boost the economic growth of the country, curb poverty and reduce unemployment-induced crimes.
” Even though the Federal Government has its wisdom for implementing the policy, it is ill-timed, considering the economic recession, high foreign exchange rate and increasing unemployment.”
Mafia further said the prevailing economic situation in the country had reduced the ability of Nigerians to purchase vehicles.
He lamented that the low value of the naira, coupled with the high exchange rate had ”conspired”to kill the automobile business in parts of the nation.
Mafia added that the high prices of automobiles had gone beyond the reach of the average Nigerian, saying “that is why our business premises have been deserted”.
“We are humbly and passionately appealing to the Federal Government to reverse the ban.
” This is because auto dealers have only been struggling to survive the harsh economic situation.
“The downward review of duties on imported automobiles would also boost socioeconomic activities and bolster revenue generation for the Federal Government.”
Mafia further said that the current price of a vehicle could purchase three vehicles hitherto, due to the fluctuating foreign exchange rate.
The ban on the importation of vehicles through the land borders took effect on Jan.1, 2017.
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