Dr Samuel Nzekwe, former President, Association, National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN), on Thursday advised the Federal Government to remove all hindrances delaying clearing of goods at the seaports.
Nzekwe, who gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ota, Ogun added that the move would boost the nation’s revenue.
“The Federal Government should make clearing of vehicles and other goods easier at the seaports because Nigeria is losing huge revenue to neighbouring countries.”
The financial expert added that there was the need for government to look into reasons why people preferred to use the land border than the seaports.
He said that if seaports were conducive for clearing of goods, the issue of bringing vehicles through land border would not happen.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls, that the Federal Government on Monday, banned importation of vehicles into Nigeria through land borders.
The Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Mr Wale Adeniyi, said this in a statement he made available to newsmen on Monday in Lagos.
Nzekwe stressed that the ban on importation vehicles through the land borders would reduce government revenue in the short-run.
He, however, urged government to address corruption among the customs officials, so that more funds could be generated into the nation’s treasury.
Another expert, Dr Titus Okunronmu, former Director, Budgetary Department, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), however, expressed concern on the ban on the importation of vehicles through land borders.
He said that the ban might not achieve its objective, considering the size of the country.
Okunronmu also stressed the need for government to tackle sharp practices among customs officials with a view to making them accountable for money collected in the discharge of their duties. (NAN)
•Photo shows Apapa Wharf, Lagos.
