ANLCA TO FG: Lift Ban On Vehicles, Rice Importation Through Seme Border Post

By Roland Ekama 

The Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) has called on the Federal Government to reopen the border post for vehicle importation through the neighboring country, stating that Nigeria is at a disadvantage due to the closure.

The freight forwarding association also emphasized that billions of naira could be generated by the Nigeria Customs Service through vehicle clearance at the border, noting that despite the import ban, vehicles still enter the country through smuggling.

Speaking on Tuesday at the Seme border post, Secretary of ANLCA, Seme Chapter, Mr. Austin Nwosu, lamented the negative impact of the border closure on vehicle importation.

Nwosu stated, that “Seme is the best frontier to clear vehicles from neighboring countries. Vehicles are finding their way into Nigeria illegally, but I think it is better to allow the vehicles to enter through the border and pay legitimate duties., Before the border closure, vehicle duties generated billion of naira into the coffers of Nigerian government.”

He noted that Nigeria and Benin Republic have agreements on international trade, and therefore, the government should lift the ban on vehicles through the land border.

Nwosu emphasized that the core of vehicle importation is honest declaration, adding that the ban on vehicles holds no economic benefit for Nigeria.

The Customs broker further explained that revenue generation from the Seme Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service would soar higher than what is obtained because according to him, vehicle clearance is among the most common commodities handled by freight forwarders.

In light of the insecurity affecting farmers who have been attacked by bandits and kidnappers, the ANLCA chieftain urged the federal government to review the policy banning rice imports from international borders, warning that food scarcity is imminent.

Similarly, he added that rice is the staple food affordable to the masses, but insecurity has caused farmers to abandon their farms, making cultivation nearly impossible.

Amid ongoing farmer-herder clashes, rice merchants continue to decry the high levels of insecurity in their communities nationwide, with little hope of returning to their farms soon.

According to Nwosu, lifting the ban on rice imports through the borders will also enhance government revenue via customs. He called on authorities to compare past and current revenue figures when vehicle and rice importation were allowed through the border.