Association hails FG’s plan to ban imported vehicles through land borders

The National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) on Wednesday commended the Federal Government on its plan to ban importation of vehicles into the country through land borders.

Mr Stanley Ezenga, the National Publicity Secretary of the association gave the commendation in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

He said that the country had a lot to gain from the planned ban that would take effect from Jan. 2017, adding that the move would boost port activities and improve revenue.

“The announcement by the government that imported vehicles will no longer come through the land borders, but through the seaports from next year is a welcome development.

“It will no doubt address the diversion of vehicle cargoes to neigbouring countries by importers; consequently boost government revenue as these cargoes would now have to go though our seaports.

“This decision deserves the commendation of all stakeholders as it means more business for freight forwarders and others and more revenue for the country,’’ he said.

Ezenga, however, urged the Federal Government to back the plan with effective policing of land borders as smugglers would do everything to undermine the policy.

The NAGAFF spokesman dismissed fears in some quarters that the new policy might lead to increase in prices of imported vehicles.

He said that it would rather promote competitive vehicle sales that would moderate prices.