Posted by By RAZAQ BAMIDELE on
A Nigeria licenced customs agent and shipping magnate, Alhaji Alli Usman Taska, has decried the high charges by the shipping companies at the Nigerian Ports during clearing of commodities just as he urged the Federal Government to review its policy on the ages of Tokunboh vehicles being brought into the country by importers.
A Nigeria licenced customs agent and shipping magnate, Alhaji Alli Usman Taska, has decried the high charges by the shipping companies at the Nigerian Ports during clearing of commodities just as he urged the Federal Government to review its policy on the ages of Tokunboh vehicles being brought into the country by importers.
Taska, who is the chief executive officer (CEO) of New Angel Shipping Company Limited in a chat with Daily Sun in Lagos at the weekend, sought the Federal Government's intervention over what he described as exorbitant charges by the shipping companies at the port, reminding that "even when the Nigeria Port Authority (NPA) was in charge, the charges to clear articles and materials were considerably low and normal."
The concerned customs licensed shipper stressed that "government's intervention is needed because the higher clearing charges, the higher the prices of essential commodities would go," pointing out that the end users of such commodities, who are Nigerian citizens and common people on the street would regrettably bear the brunt.
On the ban on Tokunbo vehicles which ages have exceeded eight years, Taska urged the government to review the policy, reminding that buyers of those vehicles were low income earners who could not afford the luxury of cars of latest model.
While urging the government to move the age of such vehicles to 12 years, the youthful shipper cum general merchant confirmed that "some 12 years old and above imported cars sometimes are very sound and durable," just as he assured that importers would ensure that they bring into the country vehicles that are road worthy and not just scraps.