Yes, it is working. The ban has curbed the smuggling of vehicles, especially through land borders into the country. With this recommendation, I feel the government is doing a lot to generate revenue by ensuring the importation of vehicles comes through the seaports. We have been enriching the neighbouring countries all this while but that has to stop which is the reason for the ban in the first place. As a result of this, other countries have been affected drastically. I think all the importation coming into the country should be from the seaports and not through the land bordersbecause they are too porous.
Yes, because activities have begun at the seaport. However, let us ask ourselves, ‘Is there any of our neighbouring countries manufacturing vehicles?’.Otherwise, all the vehicles we are importing from our neighbouring countries are also imported especially from Republic of Benin. If our people can import vehicles using the land border especially through Seme and Idi-Iroko; why are they not using our seaport? The reasons are not far-fetched. The behaviourof our government officials is nothing to write home about and we have the issue of arbitrary charges, from one port to another and inconsistency in government policies. It is unpatriotic for us to be using our neighbouring countries because what it means in essence is that the duty and the tariff we are meant to pay to the government will be paid to these countries. I think the government is serious on the implementation of the ban because they need revenue and if there is going to be any lapses, it may be after six (6) months.But let us not forget, the issue of corruption will always be there. Government shouldmake their policies customer-friendly and consistent, so that Nigerians will prefer to use our sea ports to using neighbouring countries for importation.
Yes, it is a welcome development which is working properly and it is a right step in the right direction. Buhari’sadministration has taken a bold step because all the work they have been doing since they came onboard are the policies that I faulted personally, especially 90 per cent of them. I give them kudos on the banon importation of vehicles through land borders. However,whereI envisage a problem is wherethe tariffsplaced on importation of the vehicles arenot reduced and thereby making it unaffordablefor Nigerians.If the duty of the tariff is considerate, it will make the government to earn the foreign exchange they have been yearning for and use the same duty for the establishment of vehicle plant for made in Nigeria vehicles. In the long run,it will help in the recovery of our economy from recession.More jobs and businesses will be in our seaports and it will be very busy.The importers of the vehicles and containers will as well pay duty to Federal government which will enable them have enough to disburse for infrastructural development.
Well, I can say Customs only seize10 per cent of vehicles that are smuggled into the country and not 100 per cent because smugglers will always device means of bringing it into the country and that is why the seizing of goods by Customs is happening every now and then.
Yes, it is working perfectly. I have been to different ports and I can assure you that vehicles are now been cleared from the seaports and that is what our industry need which will enable growth and generate more revenue for the country. If the ban was not implemented, I am sure hundreds of vehicles will have been smuggled which in turn destroys our economy.
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