There was a drop of about 40 per cent in the number of imported vehicles that came into the country between January and October this year through the Ports & Terminal Multipurpose Limited compared to the figure for the same period of the previous year.

While a total of 192,287 units of vehicles came into Nigeria in the first 10 months of 2021, only 114,159 units were imported through the same terminal in the same period in 2022. The terminal is responsible for the importation of most vehicles coming Nigeria.

A document obtained exclusively by our correspondent from the Customs Public Relations Officer in charge of the PTML terminal, Muhammad Yakubu, showed that from January to October 2022, only 122 vessels berthed at the ports as against 167 vessels recorded within the same period in the previous year.

The document also showed that the terminal recorded a total number of 30,560 containers in the first 10 months of 2021 as against 24,181 recorded in a similar period of the current fiscal year. These figures showed a serious drop in activities in the terminal, which is known to be a Roll-On-Roll-Off terminal in  Nigeria where almost 85 per cent imported vehicles coming into the country come through.

Clearing agents operating at the nation’s maritime industry have blamed inconsistent government policies and the newly introduced Vehicles Identification Number for clearing of imported vehicles as reasons behind the decrease.

PTML chapter Chairman of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders, Thomas Alor, also blamed the levy imposed on imported cars by the government for the decline, adding that the VIN was not giving them the value they paid for.

He said, “The levy, which they imposed on imported used cars, is what is affecting car importation. What is causing the drop in importation of vehicles is the value in clearance. The VIN valuation is not giving us the value, which we are paying now.

“What made the value high is because of the levy imposed on older vehicles; it is the reason for the high cost of clearance of those vehicles. When we started the VIN valuation, we were paying normal duty with the percentage of the duty until the government now imposed levies on old vehicles, which now increased the prices.”

Though he admitted that the levy had been there before now, Alor, however, said it was not up to five per cent as against the 15 per cent the clearing agents were now being asked to pay.

He stated, “The levy has been there but it was below five per cent, but now, it is about 15 per cent. Any time we engage the Customs on the issue of value, they tell us that we requested for the VIN. And we are saying yes, we requested for the VIN, but the VIN was not well articulated the way we asked them to do it; they later imposed levies on it and the high levy is bringing the value up.

“Now, some vessels come with only 45 vehicles; some even come with less than that. The only time that they recorded a huge import of vehicles here was like two or three vessels that came with damaged vehicles. Following the introduction of the VIN and levy, vehicle importation has dropped drastically. There are times here at the PTML when nothing is happening and people just play around here. Some vehicles come through other terminals as containerised cargoes.”

A former Chairman of NAGAFF, PTML chapter, George Okafor, said the reduction in importation was more than 40 per cent.

Okafor stated, “It is no longer news that we have almost 61 per cent reduction in importation of vehicles, it is very clear and open, it is an open fact and it is caused by policies. The VReg (Vehicle Registration System) is causing problems; as I am talking to you now, to get VReg is hard and without it you can’t access anything. So, all these are making things difficult for clearing of cargoes and vehicles out of the ports; it is not a hidden thing.

“We are in a situation where a ship will come and will deliver almost everything in Cotonou and the little one we have here will be difficult to clear.”

He said smaller vehicles that cost about N500,000 to clear now required over N1m, which was  responsible for the high cost of cars in the market.

Okafor added, “The VIN is still affecting us because the values of some of the vehicles are high. You know Nigerians rely so much on older vehicles because they are cheaper. Most rich Nigerians go for higher vehicles, you know in Nigeria it is either you belong to the higher class or the lower class. And those in the higher class buy vehicles from 2018 upwards and they can afford to clear them, but the lower class relies so much on older vehicles. And those older vehicles now are very expensive to clear; the vehicles we used to clear with N500,000 or N600,000 are now from N1m upwards.

“The cheapest vehicle like Toyota Corolla is now very expensive to clear. So, after calculating the cost of purchase, shipping and clearing here in Nigeria, you will find out that the car will be very expensive for someone in the middle class to buy. And the car will hang because you are paying the same thing with what a 2014 model of the same car is paying, so it will be difficult to buy.

“So, the people who are importing these cars are not even keen again to do the business; if they bring in the vehicles, a lot of people may not have the money to buy the cars. If you go to the PTML in Mile 2, there is almost no one there, because that is where all these small vehicles come through and TinCan is where the executive vehicles come through. So, you can see how it is affecting the whole thing.”

The PTML chapter Chairman of the National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents, Abayomi Duyile, said, “The VIN and the 30 per cent levy are the causes of the whole problem. You know when they introduced the VIN, it was part of what we were saying before that it was going to cause problems, but the Customs introduced it saying that it would make their job faster and all that. About a month after they introduced the VIN, they came with a 30 per cent National Automotive Council contribution, and we protested, they now removed it and changed it to a levy.”

“So with all these things, you find out that over N2m has been added to the prices of vehicles. And when (former President Olusegun) Obasanjo was there, they allowed vehicles of 15 years old to come in, but now the Customs, in their own wisdom, said such were old vehicles. Now, for example, a 2008 model car has now been classified along with a 2013 vehicle in terms of duty payment.

“So, when you bring in a 2008 model of a vehicle and you are paying duty for a 2014 model, it will be very expensive. So, when you clear a 2008 modelled vehicle as 2013 or 2014 in Nigeria, you may go bankrupt, because there is no way you can sell such a vehicle when cheaply you clear at the rate of 2014; that is why you see the drop at the PTML.

“These are the two major issues when you say 2005, 2006 and 2009 vehicle importers should pay the same duty as 2013, it is not done anywhere else in the world. So, you can imagine the people that the system has affected, some of their vehicles are still in the port as we speak; some have also abandoned their vehicles because already there is no point wasting money to clear a vehicle you can’t sell. The ones that have been cleared take time to sell.”

Dealers lament

Meanwhile, car dealers have lamented a serious drop in patronage as cars now seem to be above the reach of ordinary Nigerians.

A car dealer at the popular Berger Automobile Market, Lagos, who gave his name as Chinonso Stainless, said most of the dealers hardly record any customer in months as against what they used to see, especially when the Christmas season was approaching.

He said, “My brother, there is nothing happening here again because of the high duty rate; people who are bringing in cars are not many again. So, there are fewer cars in the market and the prices are very high; the turn up of buyers is very low. The patronage is not the way it used to be, people hardly buy cars now.

“A 2003 Toyota Corolla that used to sell for N2.5m is now N3.5m, while the 2010 model of the same car is N4.8m. So, we are pleading with the government to bring down the duty on cars because as soon as the duty comes down, the prices will definitely come down.”

Another dealer, John Paul, said, “People now prefer to buy Nigerian used cars now instead of foreign used cars; even so, the Nigerian used car is also very expensive. You hardly see a clean Nigerian used car that is less than N1.5m; that is how expensive cars are now.”

The President, Association of Motor Dealers of Nigeria, Metch Nnadiekwe, did not take his calls as of the time of filing this report.

Enugu State was, literally, turned to shreds, at the weekend, as unknown gunmen struck, killing three police officers, a former commissioner and two others.

Three policemen were shot dead at Agbani, headquarters of Nkanu West Local Council of the state.

The incident occurred at a roundabout, close to the Agbani Divisional Police Station, a short distance from the town’s main market.

It was learnt that the policemen were on a stop-and-search duty on that spot. And, when the assailants sighted them, they immediately opened fire, which brought down the three security operatives.

The killer gang continued to shoot sporadically into the air, as they fled the scene, scaring the residents and traders, many of who took to their heels, only to return to discover the victims’ lifeless bodies on the asphalted road.

A video of the incident obtained, yesterday, showed sympathisers wailing and lamenting the incessant attacks on the policemen serving in the state by the ‘unknown gunmen.’

An unidentified young man was heard in the video crying and saying that one of the victims was his brother.

Meanwhile, on Friday night, a former Commissioner for Rural Development in the state and erstwhile Chairman of Oji-River Local Council, Gabriel Onuzulike and his elder brother, were killed at their Nkpokolo-Achi hometown by gunmen.

They were said to be returning from a burial ceremony when they were pursued by the gunmen, who were said to have waylaid and pummelled bullets into them.

The State Police Command, yesterday, said two of the assailants, who came from neighbouring Anambra State, were intercepted and neutralised by a joint Police and Army team, following a distress call.

The state Police Spokesman, Daniel Ndukwe, who gave an update on the Oji -River incident, in a statement, said: “Pending the receipt of a detailed report, kindly be informed that preliminary report reveals that two of the assailants, said to have infiltrated into Oji-River from neighbouring Anambra State community, in the evening of 18/11/2022, that attacked and murdered one Gabriel Onuzulike (identified as former Chairman of Oji-River Local Council and Commissioner in Enugu State Government) and his brother at Nkpokolo-Achi in Oji-River Local Council, were neutralised by a joint Police and Army team, who swiftly responded to a distress call on the incident, and intercepted the hoodlums at Inyi community of the same council, as they were escaping into Anambra State.

“The team recovered an AK-47 rifle with two magazines loaded with ammunition, while a Toyota Land Cruiser Jeep belonging to the victims, a Toyota Camry car the assailants attempted to snatch from another victim, and a RAV4 Jeep they used for the heinous criminal operation, among other incriminating items, were also recovered.”

“Meanwhile, manhunt of the assailants, many of whom escaped into a nearby forest with severe degrees of gunshot wounds in the ensuing gun duel, as a result of the superior firepower of the joint team, is still ongoing. Further development will be communicated, please.”

..urges government to take over Ososa Film village founded by Hubert Ogunde in Ogun

A former Governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, has called on the Federal Government to urgently take over and properly fund the Film Village founded in Ososa by the doyen of Nigerian theatre, late Chief Hubert Ogunde.

He said it was important for the government to reposition the movie and entertainment industry in the country for optimal revenue generation and maximum benefits to all citizens, stressing that the creative sector currently remains an untapped goldmine.

Daniel, who is the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial candidate for Ogun East, spoke on Friday at an empowerment programme held as part of activities of his ward-to-ward tour of Odogbolu Local Government Area of the state.

According to him, Ogun State is the largest exporter of entertainers in Nigeria and continues to be the hub of global entertainment.

He expressed optimism that with sufficient support from the Federal Government, the film and entertainment industry would inevitably help in creating more jobs and consequently propel economic growth and development of the country. 

The former governor recalled how the late Ogunde, who hailed from Ososa in Odogbolu Local Government Area, played a vital pioneering role and revolutionised the practice of theatre arts in Nigeria, adding that what is now known as Nollywood could be traced to his legendary exploits.

He said, “Ogun State continues to be the hub of global entertainment. The new sound from the other side being celebrated worldwide comes from us. While we are happy to share these talents with the rest of the world, they belong to us. Talk of Olamide, D’banj, Kizz Daniel, Laycon, Fireboy DML, Asa, Wande Coal and Reminisce, amongst others, come from here.

“As we led the 70s, 80s and 90s with the likes of Ebenezer Obey, Fela, Haruna Ishola, Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, Sir Shina Peters, Adewale Ayuba, Salawa Abeni, Batili Alake, Tope Alabi, so are we leading the new age. But not just in music; Nollywood today is championed by the likes of Tunde Kelani, Yemi Shodimu and numerous people from this state.

“Ogun State, therefore, should be given special consideration in the development of the entertainment industry. The National Council of Arts and Culture (NCAC) should take over the film village in Ososa for proper funding.”

Daniel explained that among his agenda to the National Assembly is to get the Federal Government to take interest in and support the development of the film village in Ososa.

He pointed out that Hollywood and Bollywood have generated impressive revenues for the United States and India respectively, adding that Nigeria too could make huge profits from its Nollywood through proper development of the industry.

The senatorial candidate vowed to support legislation and policies that would make the entertainment industry more vibrant and productive to realise its potential.

He said, “The biggest thing that is pushing the American economy is Hollywood, the biggest thing that is pushing the Indian economy is Bollywood. Now we have Nollywood and they are doing very well. Therefore, all this problem of unemployment in the land, we can make use of the inherent talents that we have in Ogun State.

“Part of what we will do in Abuja is to push the Federal Government to come and support the emancipation of the film village that we have in Ososa in Odogbolu Local Government.”

Daniel restated his advocacy for local government autonomy which, he noted, would make the nation’s third tier of government fully functioning and accelerate development at the grassroots.

“Part of what we want to go and do in the Senate is to push the bill to activate that there must be financial autonomy granted to the various local governments. It is when there is money in the local government that we can expect our Local Government Chairman to perform,” he said.

"I wouldn’t have been a graduate without a scholarship programme from the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Anyim Pius Anyim, who gave scholarships to 200 persons. Now, I need to train others, to help the poor and needy in society. Osi said"

An Ebonyi State medical doctor, Dr. Gideon Osi, yesterday, did the unthinkable, as he converted a contribution by his friends, for his mother’s burial, into scholarship grants worth over  N50 million to girls, women and other beneficiaries in the state.

Announcing the donation during the burial ceremony of his late mother, Madam Rebacca Osi, in Ishiagu, Ivo Local Government Area of the state, Dr. Osi expressed concern over the inability of many girl child in the state to access basic and tertiary education and assured that the scholarship would assist the beneficiaries in their pursuit for education.

He emphasised that the donations were made by his friends, members of different committees and associates in support of the burial of his mother, as over N50 million was realised accordingly.

“N50 million have been put together for this event by my friends, associates, clubs and good-spirited Nigerians but I know that God has provided what will take Mama’s event to the level that she expected it. 

“So, I discussed with my wife and we decided that all that contribution, we will use it to train the children of the poor. We are going to go beyond Ishiagu and Ebonyi State. We will commit the entire fund, over N50million on scholarship in appreciation of Mama’s life.

“More women will benefit from that scholarship programme, more girls because when you train a woman, the effect is too magnanimous.”

According to Osi, 46 graduates have so far been trained in different disciplines in the State adding that he decided to train the graduates to promote literacy and human capital development.

He explained that he wouldn’t have been a graduate without a scholarship programme from the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Anyim Pius Anyim, who gave scholarships to 200 persons when he was the Senate President of the country.

Osi noted that having been trained through the scholarship scheme of Anyim, he needed to train others, to help the poor and needy in society.

“Every community has poor people but among the poor people, there are the poorest of the poor. We are among those that are called the poorest of the poor such that even poor people called us poor.

 “We were so poor that we couldn’t afford food but God, through various people, we were able to solve that mystery and today, the story is long.

“Today, I feel much more fulfilled watching my mother go home the way she wanted it. She always told me that there will be joy when she dies and now, it is exactly the way it is.”