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Importers, clearing agents call on FG to review tariffs

By David Abellegah on January 21, 2013

Importers and clearing agents have called on the Federal Government to review port tariff and find ways to make the ports more attractive to businesses.

They said it was high time the FG reviewed the tariff to eliminate uncertainties and to harmonize standard with other ports, especially those of neighbouring countries.

Speaking on the issue, the National President, Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANALCA), Prince Olayiwola Shittu, said port tariff was not proportionate with the services provided by terminal workers and it makes the ports low-spirited.

Shittu maintained that the Nigerian Shippers’ Council should be emulated as it has removed service charges to cut down the expenses involved in doing business in ports.

In addition, the Managing Director, Folas Motors, Chief Fola Alakija said the board had been putting into practice the Inland Container Depots (ICDs) to enhance the process.

The importer said, “There was need to revive and modernise the railway as a primary mode for long distance haulage of cargo and to free the Lagos ports road from its current poor state.”

He said, that railway will further reduce the cost of transporting cargo back and forth the ports as well as generate jobs.

According to Alakija, single window operation should be encouraged to get rid of human contact and the use of prudence, which has been acknowledged as key.

He said the distinct window process would not merely make trade easy, but it will kick out fraud.

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