Senate rejects customs ban on vehicles importation through land borders
…Call on Customs Service to suspend further action on its policy

 
SENATE has rejected the Nigerian Customs Service’s policy that banned importation of vehicles through land borders in the country.
While considering the the motion on the ban on the importation of vehicles through the land borders into the country sponsored by Senator Jubrin Barau and co-sponsorsed by Senators Kabiru Gaya, Shehu Sani, Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi and Ali Wakili, the Senators called on the Customs to suspend the policy.
Senate noted that the decision to stop importation of vehicles into the country by land borders will lead to the loss of about 500,000 jobs.
They argued that given the ramification of such a policy on the economy, it is not economically expedient to ban vehicle importation.
Senator Ali Ndume decries FG’s failure to engage stakeholders and says the policy will render small businesses ineffective.
He adds that “Lagos is over congested, other ports are not utilised”.
Senator Dino Melaye said, “When formulating such policies, the welfare of the people and the socio-economic effect must be considered. Nigerian customs should show capacity in managing our border and enhance capacity to stop illegal movement of vehicles”.
In his contribution, Senator Sam Egwu said “Government must put on its thinking cap and stop churning out policies that affect the masses negatively”.
Talking on the roles play by Nigeria to the continent, Senator Shehu sani said Nigeria is not an ordinary country, saying we have a duty to our continent and our sub-region.
“The policy favours those that have stakes in importation of vehicle through the sea. We are closing land border not to encourage local production but to encourage importation through the sea”.
The senators however called on the Customs Service to suspend further action on its policy of an outright ban on the importation of vehicles through our land borders as from 1st January, 2017.
They mandated the Senate committee on Customs to investigate the circumstances that led to the sudden decision of the FG on vehicle importation.
They urged the FG to consider the regulation of vehicle importation by approving an entry point in each of the geopolitical zones that have international land border(s) in the country.
Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu who presided over the session thanked his colleagues for their contributions and said that he hopes government will respect the view and wishes of Nigerians.