The National Council of Managing Directors of Customs Agents
(NCMDCA) has protested against the N10, 000 levy imposed on truck owners operating
in the ports by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).
(NCMDCA) has protested against the N10, 000 levy imposed on truck owners operating
in the ports by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).
A letter signed by the President of the Council, Mr
Lucky Amiwero, came after the management of the NPA said it would go ahead with
the collection of the levy in spite of the opposition from the truck owners.
Lucky Amiwero, came after the management of the NPA said it would go ahead with
the collection of the levy in spite of the opposition from the truck owners.
The letter is also coming on the heels of the
commencement of the entry permit from truck drivers today. It was postponed
from March 1 which was the date originally scheduled for its commencement.
commencement of the entry permit from truck drivers today. It was postponed
from March 1 which was the date originally scheduled for its commencement.
Amiwero in his letter, described the levy as a duplication, arguing that it is
already embodied in the delivery charges(DG) paid by the importer/licensed
customs agents/ transporters on cargo operational rate in the lease agreement.”
already embodied in the delivery charges(DG) paid by the importer/licensed
customs agents/ transporters on cargo operational rate in the lease agreement.”
The letter read partly that “the operational rates of
the lease agreement to terminal operators include rate for cargo due and
delivery charges, which includes the following: the charges are paid by the
consignee; the Cargo Dues is paid in USD and Delivery Charges are paid in Naira;
there is a VEP (vehicle Entry Permit) and Tally Sheet &TPR (Tenure Parking
Rate) Charge per Truck entering into the Port premise.
the lease agreement to terminal operators include rate for cargo due and
delivery charges, which includes the following: the charges are paid by the
consignee; the Cargo Dues is paid in USD and Delivery Charges are paid in Naira;
there is a VEP (vehicle Entry Permit) and Tally Sheet &TPR (Tenure Parking
Rate) Charge per Truck entering into the Port premise.
“The Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP) and Tenure Parking
Rate (TPR) is embodied in the Delivery Charges paid by the Importer/ Licensed
Customs Agents on behalf of Transporters.
Rate (TPR) is embodied in the Delivery Charges paid by the Importer/ Licensed
Customs Agents on behalf of Transporters.
“The payment is duplicated by Nigerian Ports Authority
to Transporters entering the port that has been accommodated in the Delivery
Charges (DC) paid by the Consignee (Importer, Licensed Customs Agents and
Transporter).”
to Transporters entering the port that has been accommodated in the Delivery
Charges (DC) paid by the Consignee (Importer, Licensed Customs Agents and
Transporter).”
“The transporters are authorized by the Licensed
Customs Agent to load the goods from the Port on their behalf and forward them
to various destination based on the contract of carriage that covers the goods
from the Port to destination.
Customs Agent to load the goods from the Port on their behalf and forward them
to various destination based on the contract of carriage that covers the goods
from the Port to destination.
“We hereby request the Federal Government to intervene
and stop the duplicated collection on Vehicles Entry permit (VEP) and Tenure
parking Rate (TPR), and refund the ones collected to the transporters who act
on behalf of licensed customs agents.”
and stop the duplicated collection on Vehicles Entry permit (VEP) and Tenure
parking Rate (TPR), and refund the ones collected to the transporters who act
on behalf of licensed customs agents.”
However, the NPA had okayed 1,500 trucks for operation
in Lagos which are expected to pay the compulsory entry permit levy.
in Lagos which are expected to pay the compulsory entry permit levy.
The General Manager, Western Ports of NPA, Chief
Michael Ajayi, had explained that the trucks had been registered and certified
as road worthy to operate in the Lagos ports.
Michael Ajayi, had explained that the trucks had been registered and certified
as road worthy to operate in the Lagos ports.
Ajayi said the idea is to ensure that trucks operating
in the ports were road worthy.
in the ports were road worthy.
He said the measure was in compliance with the
International Ships & Ports Facility Security Code (ISPS Code) adding that
it will also check sharp practices and security threat in the ports.
International Ships & Ports Facility Security Code (ISPS Code) adding that
it will also check sharp practices and security threat in the ports.
Ajayi had appealed to customs agents associations for
support in enforcing the new move by the authority.
support in enforcing the new move by the authority.
