The Operations [dropcap]Manager, Ports [/dropcap]and Terminal Multiservices Ltd. (PTML), Mr Jack Angrish, on Wednesday, lauded the ban on vehicle importation through the land borders.
Angrish made the remarks in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.
He said that the policy would have a lot of positive reaction in the auto sector
It would be recalled that the Federal Government on Monday announced a ban on importation of new and used vehicles through the land borders, an order, which takes effect from Jan,1, 2017.
Importers of vehicles through the land borders are requested to utilise the grace period up till Dec. 31, 2016 to clear their vehicles landed in neighbouring ports.
“The spirit behind the ban is to bolster domestic manufacturing and vehicle assembly that has been at their ebb over the years.
“With proper monitoring and enforcement of the measure, the country will garner more revenue from vehicle imports through the ports.
“The influx of vehicles through the land borders has taken the shine off the vehicle seats in the ports,’’ Angrish said.
He said that the policy would encourage the pooling of resources by auto players to start assembly plants in the country.
According to him, the country will be insulated from the vagaries of trans-border trade that has been the bane of sector.
“Vehicle imports have reduced from 30,000 to 6,000 in the last eight months with the attendant problem of loss of jobs by terminal officials.
“With the ban, importers will now route their vehicles through the ports, which is good revenue for the government.
“The policy will put a stop to smuggling of cars into Nigeria and the revenue that hitherto accrued to ports of Cotonou and Lome will be back in Nigeria,’’ Angrish said.
