Francis Ejakpovi [National Port Coordinator, AREFFN]
The implication is that our seaports will experience a boom which is commendable, but I just want to add that the government themselves must be sincere about the whole process, most especially the customs, who are the implementers is the problem because after such directive from the government ,the customs will still want to frustrate the process by collecting money from importers, thus thwarting the policy. If customs can be sincere by doing what is right by policing the borders effectively, it will help in so many ways.
Dr. Arthur Igwilo [Sec Gen, NAGAFF]
As an advocacy group, I think we must have something to say about the ban on vehicles from the land borders. The government has spoken but I think the government did not give us enough time to make our input known, considering the fact that the period was very short. Government sudden decision on the ban brings about the question whether the Seme border command of customs is not competent enough to curtail smuggling activities at the borders? We are calling on the government to be very careful while coming up with policies regarding the maritime sector. The truth is that the policy will generate a whole lot of pressure on the government which in-turn also affect the common man who wants to buy a car.
Eugene Nweke [Stakeholder]
Formulation of policies should be after due consultation with reconciliation with statistics to measure whether it will have negative or positive impact on the people, before coming up with deliberate policies. Stop making policies because some people have met you to canvass their interest, that does not help in nation building. Most of the policies we saw last year represented the interest of some people. The ban on importation of both new and used vehicles through the land borders could engender smuggling which would also endanger the lives of officers and men of the Nigeria Customs Service. You don't make policies that will indirectly push up smuggling activities and expose the officers and men of Customs to unnecessary risks .Some people in government are beneficiaries of these things; how many poor men go to bring vehicles that we use?
Eniola Odulaja [Stakeholder]
The policy to ban vehicles from the land borders came at a time when the country was deeply in hardship and i think the masses are not in support because it will lead to massive job loss; both directly or indirectly. We are all aware that the government policies on import and export are not encouraging to the average business man, thus , the best way out is for government to firstly encourage investors to patronise the seaports before the ban. At this point in time, nobody can afford to buy or even import cars because people want to monitor the situation and its affecting importation of such commodities to the country.
Pius Ujubonu (ANLCA)
From the face value, the ban was intended to bring importers to the seaports, but the question begging for answer is that why did importers go to the land borders in the first place, it's because they find it economically convenient to ship in cargo through the land borders because of the high cost of doing business at the seaport, it is not that they don't want to pay government duties, they are running away because of the other costs and charges by our terminal operators and shipping companies. If the importers cannot import through approved routes, they would decide to come through unapproved routes, it is now left to the government if the vehicle would be numbered or not, until we begin to see the backlash we cannot tell the implication of the policy.
Francis Omotosho (maritime instructor)
The closure of the border would give more cargoes to the seaports, particularly the Ro-Ro terminals, this would in-turn catalyse businesses in the ports and increase revenue for the customs, a lot of terminals would benefit from it, practitioners and even clearing agents would benefit from this closure. However at the borders, we also have practitioners and a customs command with a given revenue target, definitely, this new policy will affect them in reaching their targets because the major bulk of cargo passing through the borders is rice and vehicles. The effect of this government policy is that Benin Republic would benefit from it, smugglers and some bad eggs would also benefit from it because they would still bring in these cars and government would not get any money.
Steve Okonmah (Public Relations Officer, PTML Customs)
This is the best time that the Federal Government has taken the wisest decision to take the bull by the horn, because the government had most of the times developed other neighbouring countries at the expense of our country. I can assure you that at PTML we have the manpower, the material, equipment and officers are at alert and ready, even if you want to bring 100,000 cars we are ready for them, we have three different spaces for it, these are very big open spaces that can take as many vehicles as possible. On the tariff, if we want to get it perfectly right, then we need to retain the tariff we are using now which is 35%, I have been hearing of an increase to 70% but if you ask my opinion, I would say let us maintain what we are using for now, because if we try to increase and we are telling people not to smuggle, it means we are using one hand to invite importers and the others to turn them away, this will now make smugglers more dangerous and daring and ready to attack anybody in sight.
Elder Oluwole Obey (Chairman, PTML ANLCA)
It would boost import duty collectable at the seaports, we as maritime practitioners have to follow any policy of the Federal Government, we try to advise them but most time they don't listen to us. My President (Prince Olayiwola Shittu) appealed to them for extension of three months, but they turned it down. I want to advise the government to bring down the duty on vehicles because we are still a manufacturing country.
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