Mr Pius Ojubuonu, Branch Chairman, Shipping Company and Terminal Operations Committee of customs agents, on Thursday said that importers in Nigeria were under-declaring their cargoes to remain in business.
Ojubuonu told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the importers would have been able to accurately declare their goods if trade and commerce were done appropriately in Nigeria.
NAN reports that the committee is of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA).
He said it was true that some Nigeria importers were making frivolous declarations as a responsible businessman would have profiled his profit into a business before embarking on it.
Ojubuonu identified unhealthy competition between producers and retailers as a major factor that had contributed to importers doctoring import documents.
“When a Nigerian imports a product into the country, he brands it with his name and distribute into the Nigeria market.
“The same foreign producer, who made the goods, will clone the same product and bring into the country unbranded and sell at a cheaper rate to retailers.
“So, people will not buy the branded one.
“Also, because our check points and borders are porous, goods imported legally could come in illegally and destroy sales of the original importer,’’ Ojubuonu said.
The committee chairman called on government to look into the country’s trade and commerce policy to ensure that every business person would not be a retailer for effective business operation.
“While some are core importers and sell in bulk, others should sell in retail. Retail businesses are exclusively for the citizens.
“Customs brokerage is exclusive for citizens. Distribution does not require expertise, anybody can do it.
“This will help to nib the problem of under declaration in the mud,’’ he said.
Ojubuonu advised the government to ensure that the customs and exercise department was not only a revenue generation organ, but also a security agent to prevent smuggling.
He appealed to the government to appoint the right persons into the right positions for them to carry out policies effectively. (NAN)
© anu for Royal Times of Nigeria Newspaper, 2014. |
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The post Nigerian importers under-declare their cargoes – agent appeared first on Royal Times of Nigeria Newspaper.