ANLCA Chieftain fumes at incessant increase of exchange rate
...calls on govt to consider plight of Nigerians.
Segun Oladipupo
The Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents ANLCA has condemned the incessant upward review of the foreign exchange rate by the Central Bank of Nigeria without recourse to the pains it bears on the citizens.
The Tincan Chapter Public Relations Officer of the association, Comrade Onome Monije told journalists in a recent interview that the government is not consistent in its approach.
Onome, who doubles as the Chief Executive of Onas 100 Resources Limited, lamented that clearing agents were caught unawares by the sudden increase
She therefore called on the government to reduce the HS Code to the barest minimum saying if not, importers will resort to using neighboring countries’ ports.
“They increased exchange rate to N1,351 in the morning and by 2pm there was no network, we could not log in and by 6pm when we could log in, they have increased it to N1,413 and by Monday, February 12, it was further increased to N1,444.56/$1. which means that they are not consistent in their approach.
“We are also saying where is going to be increment in rate, stakeholders who intervene on behalf of consignees should be informed ahead so that we can inform our importers about the new rate and the reason for it.
“Somebody called me that when he called an importer and told him about the new exchange rate, the importer passed out and was rushed to the hospital. So, this thing is affecting lives
“They should reduce the HS Code to the barest minimum otherwise some people will just leave Nigeria and go to Ghana or Cotonou
“This new rate will lead to people abandoning their goods in the port. A man has paid me to clear about 3 vehicles for him and what he paid me then was N15 million and now, it takes about N25 million to clear the cars from the port and the man has told me that he would abandon them there.
“He said instead of using N15 million to clear two cars, he would use the money to look for what he can do locally. It means trade will be reduced drastically in the port because everybody wants to watch out if the rate will come down or not.
“The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Minister of Finance and the Comptroller General of Customs should come together help the situation.
“High turnover will help the government to achieve their revenue instead of wanting to make it through few consignments that enter the country.
“The government should do something because it is going to tell on the masses,” she appealed.
