Clearing agents down tools in Tin-Can Island over new tariff

Business activities at the Tin-Can Island Port, Lagos, were on Thursday paralysed, as Clearing Agents protest the implementation of the new tariff on imported used vehicles.

The agents barricaded the APM terminal, Tin-Can Island port and bared people from going in or coming out.

The Federal Government had in 2013 raised the tariff on imported used vehicles to 70 per cent as against the earlier maximum tariff of 55 per cent.

The agents under the aegis of Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) said that they want the government to reverse to the old tariff.

Mr Emmauel Onyeme, Publicity Secretary of ANLCA said that the protest was not only in the interest of importers but for the entire populace.

'’We appeal to the government to look into the tariff in the interest of the country.

'We are not protesting for our interest alone but for the 140 million people.

'We want the tariff reversed. The duty they are asking us to pay is too much. We will continue this protest tomorrow,' Onyeme said.