Lagos—CONGESTION at the ports is beginning to gather
momentum as importers have abandoned their cargoes following the continuous
slide of the Naira against the American dollar which currently stands at N250
to $1.
Besides, there has also been a steady increase in number of
abandoned containers particularly at the Tin Can Island port.
Stakeholders confirmed to Vanguard that the worsening
exchange rate situation has prompted the Tin Can Island Customs Command
to increase its official transaction rate from N165 to all-time high N199 to a
dollar.
Confirming the development, the Customs Area Controller in
charge of the Tin Can Island Customs, Mr. Zakari Jibrin said recently that the Auto
Policy of the Federal Government and the upcoming 2015 election has caused
importers to abandon their cargoes at the port.
In an interview, Vice Chairman of the Tin Can Chapter of the
Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) Mrs Ada Akpunonu said
that the instability in the exchange rate has caused importers to stay away
from importation and that imported cargoes have been abandoned at the
port.
According to her, commercial banks have equally stopped
lending money to potential businessmen.
Speaking on the imminent port congestion, Akpunonu said,
“many goods are trapped at the port, there is bound to be congestion, most of
the importers borrowed money from the banks, before they collect their Bill of
Lading they must make the payment, but what is happening now is that, with the
exchange rate, they are finding it difficult to get the balance and pay back in
order to collect the papers and clear their goods”
“Many importers with Bill of Lading are finding it difficult
to pay duties. There is no cargo that does not go into demurrage in Nigeria and
shipping companies start collecting money immediately the cargo lands at the
port” she said.
Akpononu confirmed that customs is currently implementing an
official transaction rate of N199 to US$1 for transactions.
By Godwin oritse
By Godwin oritse
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