The Senate has decried the imposition of illegal charges on cargoes imported into Nigeria and the ones scheduled for export.
This followed the consideration of a motion during plenary on Wednesday.
The motion titled: “The need to streamline import and export cargo processing in the aviation sector” was sponsored by Bala Na’Allah (Kebbi South).
Na’Allah said Nigeria loses about N250 billion on export of agricultural produce as a result of the imposition of illegal charges by various government agencies.
He said there are about 16 illegal charges slammed on goods coming in or going out of the country.
He said, “This has caused substantial damage to the Federal Government’s efforts of stimulating capital inflow. Airlines involved in cargo transport have started avoiding Nigeria given the prohibitive charges.”
Accordingly, the Senate mandated the its committees on Trade and Investment, Agriculture and Rural Development, Aviation and Customs to invite relevant stakeholders to discuss the issue.
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