Obicee Okonkwo (Nat. Pub. Sec, ANLCA)
Obicee Okonkwo (Nat. Pub. Sec, ANLCA)
In all, CET is going to be good for Nigerians because it is going to harmonize trade within the African sub-region, we will no longer have a situation whereby an importer from Cotonou or Apapa will be having a different duty, vehicles imported through PTML and Tin Can port will all have the same duty and value. So I believe the CET is going to harmonize all, it will also bring down the rate of smuggling because if the items imputed are well considered for Nigerian usage. We are 99% import dependent nation, if we don't have capacity to produce some product in Nigeria there is no need prohibiting items, rather government should increase duty on them.
Ugochukwu Nnadi (Deputy President, NAGAFF)
The CET showed that the world is becoming a global village and there has to be a synergy between one nation and the other for them to prosper, within the West African sub-region there is need for them to come together and harmonize things for the common interest of all. But the unfortunate thing is that going by the CET, those that are at advantage will have to make some sacrifices so that those at a disadvantage will benefit so that they will not feel the heat so much. But the question is, why must implementation commence on Saturday? This agreement was reached in 1997, finalized in 2013 to commence in 2015; again there has not been enough sensitization on this tariff. CET will not reduce smuggling because Nigeria's policy as regards the import prohibition list is so long, and as long as the list remains so long people will always find a way to cut corners.
Gani Adeola (PRO, ANLCA at PTML port)
The CET is a welcome idea but unfortunately this is a corrupt environment and a corrupt nation, this is because any policy that will favour the masses, the excuse the customs will give you is that there is no circular, but the policy that will not favour the masses, before they announce it, the customs would have commenced implementation. The problem we have in this industry is high tariff; this is what made some importers to divert their cargoes to neighboring countries. Mind you, in the CET implementation, individual countries have their own policy, whatever is contraband in Nigeria remains contraband; on rice imports for example, smugglers will still continue to pass through the bushes because the policy of other countries gives them a soft landing. We cannot say we are implementing CET and allow contraband, so importers will continue to patronize neighbouring countries and smuggle, the CET only deal with goods allowed by law to enter the country.
Kayode Farinto (Former Tin Can chair, ANLCA)
We don't expect customs to have revenue target again and we are expecting the rate of duty to crash. The CET will encourage importers who are in the habit of taking their consignment to neighbouring countries to bring it down to Nigeria, we are a signatory to the convention which is designed to operate within the sub-region so I believe it is going to work. Benin Republic port has been a parasite to Nigerian port, with this CET many importers will have to come back home because we expect the cost of clearing to come down.
Sir Patrick Osita Chukwu (Coordinator SNFFIEC)
CET is long overdue for its implementation but we only hope and wish our customs will comply with the convention. We have been clamouring for the ECOWAS CET to take off ever since, but in my own opinion I don't think the Nigeria Customs will allow it to thrive rather they will frustrate the effort of all other nations within the region just for the sake of revenue collection. The customs will want to do things their own way to please the government and ordinarily, that is not what the agreement or treaty is all about.
Simeon Olua (NAGAFF)
The implementation of CET in Nigeria and other ECOWAS state is a welcome development, but there is need for us to be properly briefed by the customs management on how it is going work for us all. We believe and hope that the CET will be of beneficiary to the freight forwarders, the importers, economy, and the general public.
Dr. Babatunde Samuel (POTEMAN)
It’s an industry-based treaty and people in the sector have already accepted it, but we need to access it properly because we really need to apply simple principles of SWOT analysis in order to know the strength and weaknesses of the CET for member state to improve on it. CET is for the development of West African states in the area of international trade. Although among member nations in the region , Nigeria still has a longer way to go as regards trade and as giant of Africa, we need to take the bold step to ensure that the treaty succeeds.
Frank Aliakor (ANLCA)
Ordinarily, the CET is a welcome development and we want a situation whereby ECOWAS countries will bring down their duty as regards clearing of goods from neighbouring countries. My view on the CET is that there should be total cooperation among member states for it to be effective. We want a situation whereby cost of doing business within West Africa frontiers will be low for the purpose of making West African countries a hub for international trade to thrive in the whole of Africa.
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