By Uzor Odikpo
Lagos
Stakeholders in the maritime sector have expressed concern that the latest ban on importation of vehicles through land borders is a tactical lock down of the economies of neighbouring countries such as Republic of Benin and Togo, which historically are tied to the wellbeing of Nigeria.
The ban, which is coming on the heel of an earlier one on landing of imported rice through the land borders, is perceived as overkill and targeted at strangulating the neighbouring francophone counties whim economic survival revolves round Nigeria’s international trade fiscal policies.
The Nigeria Customs Service during the week announced the ban following President Muhammadu Buhari directive, which directed all imported vehicles to be landed through seaports. Unlike in prior actions, the ban is total, affecting both new and fairly used vehicles. The ban which takes effect January 1, 2017, gives importers 19 working days grace to clear all vehicles already on transit at sea and those already in landed at Cotonou and Lome ports, ahead of whistle time.
A statement by the customs service signed by its national public relations officer, Deputy Comptroller Wale Adeniyi said in part: “Importers of vehicles through the land borders are requested to utilize the grace period up till December 31, 2016 to clear their vehicle imports landed in neighbouring Ports”.
While terminal operators who are the consequential beneficiary of this policy decision have applauded President Muhammadu Buhari for the action, importers and traders whose interest are the target of the new policy have cried foul, saying whereas the presidency has the discretion to review and adjust major fiscal policies such as he had done, they expressed dismay at the short grace interval describing it as insensitive and anti-trade.
“How will importers clear up the huge volume of vehicles in those ports under three weeks? And what about our vehicular consignments already at sea to those destinations, are we to telephone the shipping lines and negotiate change of destination? Leaders are not competitors who like to kill other businesses, leaders lead with vision, compassion and consideration. This is alarming, wicked and unacceptable. Is there nobody at the FEC or presidency who can advise the president on the implication of this hasty decision? What is the finance, trade and investment, foreign affairs and transport ministers doing, cant they tell Mr. President his directive will send importers to their early grave?”, an official of the Trans border Traders Association of Nigeria who does not want his name mentioned, said.
Chief Disu Hearse, a traditional head in Gberefu, Badagry Lagos area was more concerned about the rise of criminal activities along his area, noting that anytime the border shuts out business, criminality rear its head. He said, “Seme is an international route. From Timbuktu, Lome and Conotou, the road leads to Idumota Lagos. Those French neighbours are happy plying their trade. Once there is any prolong government action, soon criminalities erupts everywhere. They come into Nigeria and cause havoc. My present major worry is that of Boko Haram. Yesterday, my son at Saki in Oyo state called me on telephone, he said some people there are afraid Boko Haram are likely going to take advantage of this development to shift operation. If the plan by act of commission or omission attracts Boko Haram to this side, Nigeria will be finished”, he lamented.
