Despite the harsh policy surrounding vehicles importation into Nigeria, there are strong indications that Niger Republic is consulting with the Nigerian government on how to ship imported vehicles through Lagos seaports up to the land-locked country.
Niger Republic is Nigeria neighbour in the north and has been dealing with other neighbouring countries in the southern coast of West Africa, it had depended heavily on Togo and Benin Republic for her importation.
Despite the harsh policy surrounding vehicles importation into Nigeria, there are strong indications that Niger Republic is consulting with the Nigerian government on how to ship imported vehicles through Lagos seaports up to the land-locked country.
Niger Republic is Nigeria neighbour in the north and has been dealing with other neighbouring countries in the southern coast of West Africa, it had depended heavily on Togo and Benin Republic for her importation.
It shares border with five states in northern Nigeria namely: Sokoto, Zamfara, Jigawa, Katsina and Yobe.
Shipping Position Daily gathered that, due the high cost of doing business, Niger Republic importers had previously turned away from Nigerian ports.
But at a recent meeting with the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, the government of Niger has agreed to patronise the Lagos RoRo ports to import vehicles bound for that country.
Confirming the development to journalists in Lagos recently , Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers Council; Barrister Hassan Bello said that in a couple of months, delegates from Niger Republic will visit Nigerian RoRo ports.
He said the essence of the visit by the Nigeriens is to fast track efforts aimed at commencing importation of vehicles using Nigerian ports.
According to him, the delegates from Niger are coming to Nigeria because of the cars they want to import.
The executive secretary also disclosed further that "they are coming to Nigeria and they want commence their operations from Nigeria"
"It is because of proximity, economy of scale and commonsense dictate the need for them to come to Nigeria and do business", he said.
He also said the fact that Nigerian nation ports have not been very efficient in time past led businessmen from Niger to shun Nigerian ports, but expressed optimism that, with recent consultations by the Council, an avenue for them to patronise Nigeria ports has been created.
"Three million metric tonnes of cargoes, they say they will import to their country through Nigeria ports", he disclosed.
"In a month or so, the delegation from Niger will be coming because of the cars they want to import through Nigeria and instead of using the neighbouring ports, which I don't want to mention their names, they want to do business in Nigerian ports", he added.
Bello however charged the RoRo terminal operators to cooperate with the council, saying that consultations made so far is for the benefit of the concessionaires.
He also said that the more the vehicles imported through their terminals, the more profit they will make, even as he added that it also will boost revenue for the government.
He maintained that Nigeria remains the major market in the region, urging the concessionaires to collaborate and cooperate with the economic regulator for optimal and effective port operations.
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