By Steve Agbota
The national president of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Mr Emenike Nwokeoji has said that clearing agents are going through the tough time due to unstable foreign exchange for import duty in the country.
He said that as result of the fluctuation in import duty, Nigerian Ports are currently empty as the volume of cargo has dropped drastically amid economic hardship in the country.
Speaking with selected maritime journalists at the association’s national secretariat in Lagos yesterday, Nwokeoji said things are currently tough, lamenting that this is not the best time for clearing agents operating in the nation’s maritime industry.
“I have said that several times, our members going through one of the worst periods in the history of this profession. The annoying aspect of it is that government feels unconcerned about it And then, I read about cybersecurity level, everything should not be about raising money.
“Do you watch the people? Do you watch the economy? The ports are empty. How do you raise the money? How can you even plan?
I have a challenge in my hand now. We quoted for a job based on the exchange rate. Submitted a quote. It took the company like seven days to approve the quote.
“Now the company has approved the quote based on the exchange rate. Before they gave us the approval, the exchange rate has changed. Tomorrow now, they will say the clearing agent is unreliable. They will say this today and tomorrow say something else,” he lamented.
He said if somebody who have saved up to N7 million goes to internet today but a car with a particular exchange rate, adding that even before the vessel will arrive even the shipment of the car, the exchange rate has changed.
According to him, there are areas that government subsidises something, even as clearing agents suggested that the foreign exchange for import duty should be fix for three months, 90 days.
“Then we have a steady exchange rate for imports. Just for imports just as they are doing it for other sectors of the economy, including importation of petroleum.
They are giving concessions to some people. So why not look at the masses and know what is going on in the port,” he said.
He said that the investors will not come because terminal operators that have invested lots of money in equipment have no cargo to cover their investments, saying the machines are lying idle.
He added that with present situation, it is not easy for anybody that is in international business now.
“And we have made all manner of suggestions. Let them even sit with us and explain to us. Let us know why. Are we not supposed to know? We are major players in the economy. Let us know so that we can help to educate others. But nobody is engaging us,” he said.