LCCI to FG: Stop N3.9 tr freight to foreign shippers

The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) has urged the federal government to put an end to the N3.9 trillion, about $5 billion annual freight payment to foreign ship owners as a step to revamp the maritime sector.

It said the move would also put an end to areas of revenue leakage in the maritime sector.

LCCI in a position statement on current matter of national economic interest, urged the federal government to be cautious in its move to merge the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and the Nigeria Customs Service, into Nigerian Revenue Service (NRS) noting that it might destabilise the agencies involved.

The position statement signed by LCCI president and chairman of Council, Dr Michael Olawale-Cole, the chamber reiterated its support for the recent revenue drive policies and executive orders signed by Nigeria’s president, Bola Tinubu.

“The government should ensure that implementing the proposed merger does not impede the ease of doing business,”

 “It would also be necessary for the government to ensure that the fallout of the proposed merger, such as staff rationalisation, realignment of operating structure, accountability and transparency, are adequately dealt with.”

It commended government efforts at curbing government wasteful spending.

 “We urge the administration to halt the revenue leakage of more than $5 billion paid as freight to foreign ship owners. The chamber’s perspectives are in tandem with the government’s need to check the over-bloated and inefficient workforce of the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

 “Regarding the merger, we are willing to nudge the government to embrace critical stakeholders’ engagement and consultation, which we hope will provide further insights into charter-specific responsibilities and possibilities.”

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