… Threatens to shut down markets
As the controversy generated by the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) Valuation system introduced by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) rages on, the Ndigboamaka Progressive Market Association, an umbrella body of major market associations in Lagos State and the Shippers’ Association Lagos State (SALS) have added their voice by calling for the indefinite suspension of the VIN Valuation system until after effects of Covid-19.
In a joint press briefing by Ndigboamaka Progressive Market Association and the Shippers’ Association Lagos State held in Lagos on Thursday, the President, Ndigboamaka Progressive Market Association, Chief Jude Ringo Okeke noted that the introduction of VIN Valuation was not to the knowledge of importers arguing that their agents had limited authority to commit them in decision making.
“We are not with them in this VIN regime. So, the Nigeria Customs Service should serve the importers to our satisfaction in all times. We want to be consulted in major decisions affecting our businesses.
“We shall not hesitate to shut down the markets if decisions like this involving the traders, importers and majorly the public without our input as critical stakeholders are taken”, Okeke said.
He pointed out that their colleagues in the freight forwarding business had been having a bitter experience with the Nigerian Customs Service and other government agencies in the clearing of their consignments insisting that the barrage of complaints had reached its pinnacles and they can’t bear it any further.
“Our recent meeting we confirmed the collaboration with the Shippers Association Lagos State as our trade partner to solve our common port problems, such as, arbitrary detention charges from the Shipping Lines and Terminal storage charges running into billions of Naira in our country.
“In recent times, we made efforts through the Nigerian Shippers Council to meet with the Executive Secretary, through the Shippers Association Lagos State to broaden our collaboration and discuss how some of our vexatious government policies can be amicably resolved. Several official letters were written with no positive response”, he disclosed.
He, however, informed that the Shippers Association Lagos State would always work with them in fashioning a process where they would be accorded the status of Organized Private Sector key players.
According to him, “We bring in 60% of goods into the country and employed over 10 million Nigerians and evolve them in training to enable them have their own businesses. How else can we support a Government.
“Most of our members are working with Bank loans with high interests and Government policies are making it impossible for us to pay back the loans. We totally reject that!
“Together with Shippers Association Lagos State, we shall manage a fund set up by Government to cushion our financial pressure in the foreseeable future. The funds will be managed by key players in the maritime sector. No government agency will interfere with it because of recorded failures.
“We wil do our best to protect the Shippers Association Lagos State, the freight forwarders, over 1,500 of them working with us and join other Organised Private Sector, importers to form the Federation of Shippers Organisation in Nigeria.”
Present at the press briefing were: Hon. Comrade Chinedu Ukatu, Secretary General, Ndigboamaka Progressive Market Association as well as Rev. Jonathan Nicole, President Shippers Association Lagos state.
Others include: Chief Tochukwu Ezeani, BOT member Mandilas trade fair; Nze Basil Osuokwu, Cordinator, Ndigboamaka Progressive Market Association; Chief Jude Nwankwo, President Ladipo Market; Chief Eric Ilechukwu, APT President &Chairman of Trade fair stakeholders; Chief Tony Okeke, President Mandilas United traders Trade fair and Chief Iyke Ezekwonna, Chairman, Association of Fashion Wear Dealers, Lagos Island.
Also at the briefing are: Chief Ify Ogamba, Building Material Dealers, Abule-Ado; Comrade Obinna Obichukwu, President, RADA Lawanson; Hon Mbonu U. Geoffrey, Chairman, Fancy/Furniture Dealers, Alaba Int’l Market; Evang Paulinus Ugochukwu, Chairman Alaba Electronics, Alaba Int’l; Mr. Vincent Ikwueze, Chairman, Olojo Drive Traders, Alaba Int’l; Sir Mike Enendu, President, Article Dealers Assc. Lagos; Hon. Izuchukwu Orajiaka and Chief Kenneth Aniekwe, Former Chairman, Ladipo Main Market.
Photo: A cross section of leadership of Ndigboamaka Progressive Market Association and the Shippers’ Association Lagos State during the press briefing on Thursday.
Send your news, press releases/articles to augustinenwadinamuo@yahoo.com. Also, follow us on Twitter @ptreporters and on Facebook on facebook.com/primetimereporters or call the editor on 07030661526, 08053908817.
