… We N700m To Demurrage, Storage Charges – Farinto
KOREDE FOGO
Apparently still rueing the loss incurred by clearing agents and importers during the last shutdown of Tin-Can Island and Ports and Terminal Multiservices Limited (PTML), due to the introduction of Vehicles Identification Number (VIN), Valuation, the Association of Nigeria Liscenced Customs Agents (ANLCA), said it won’t embark on fresh strike to protest the 15 percent National Automotive Council (NAC), policy on imported used vehicles.
Speaking to BUSINESSINSIDERNG, the acting president, ANLCA, Kayode Farinto, stated that the strike embarked upon to protest the VIN Valuation policy cost them over N700m in demurrage from terminal operators.
According to Farinto, strike is injurious to the economy saying, various terminal operators and shipping companies will not waive demurrage incurred during strike because they didn’t caused the strike.
“So, it is rule of engagement and dialogue that we will be embarking on and we have started doing so.
“NAC itself is a policy that was actually formulated to protect our local assemblers, thinking that by now, we will be able to produce Nigeria-made vehicles and it is supposed to be 2 percent of Cost Insurance and Freight (CIF) on new vehicles or spare parts, but imposing NAC on used vehicles is an aberration and we will make sure we fight it from here to Abuja,” he said.
He added that the Ministry of Finance instructed customs to implement the levy and so they would be meeting them to discuss the issue.
On the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) Valuation policy, Farinto noted that the agents association had met with customs and fine-tuned the grey areas, such as rebate, and urged them to factor in ‘accidented’ and salvaged vehicles.
“We have legal notices that talk about rebate on usable and the notice is so explicit that it gives 10 per cent rebate per year as per usable.
“This VIN Valuation policy is a lofty idea from us and we sold the idea to customs so as to have a uniform value across all terminals but unfortunately, customs input outrageous internet values.
“In a normal clime, the over N700milion storages that Nigerians paid should have been paid by the service or they be dragged to court, but Nigerians are not litigious, everything is about God,” he said.
He said during the meeting with customs, they urged them after fine-tunning the VIN, to test run in Lagos terminal for two weeks.