What has been your experience thus far as a clearing and forwarding agent?

In the technical area, there are no significant problems. But in the area of logistics, we are experiencing serious challenges. Bringing out cleared and released goods from the ports has now become a herculean task. Evaluation and charging of a container depends on the content of the container. Once consignment is shipped in, the evaluation aspect is done by the Nigerian Customs Service (NSC).

We are experiencing serious challenges as a result of the economic recession. Economy in the past 10 months has been so bad that most importers could not bring in goods again. Commodities such as pharmaceutical products, machine tools, industrial chemical products, electrical gadgets which are the livewire of majority of our industries are no longer coming in. This is why industries are shutting down as importers now find it difficult to bring in goods as a result of increase in foreign exchange. The sector that suffers most is the health sector because most of the expensive and important drugs are imported (they are not produced in the country) and in the past few months, they’ve not come in.

To clear a container from the ports, tell us the cost

For you to ship in pharmaceutical goods worth $10,000 dollars now you must have close to N5million which is too small to import hospital drugs. Exchange rates must be flexible so that very critical commodities can be exempted to come in.

What is your reaction to SON statement on the issue of the influx of substandard products?

The acting Director, SON, Dr. Paul Angya, is only looking for excuses to cover up his shortcomings. It was not like that under the last administration with Dr Joseph Odumodu. There was nothing like influx of substandard products. Dr. Angya should sit up and do his work.

What can government do to ban the importation of substandard goods?

As an economist, I will advise Mr. President to be conscious of those he appoints into his cabinet. The Central Bank of Nigeria and the Ministry of Finance are the most important sector which he should use to boost the economy. So far, all of government’s efforts to pump money into the economy cannot address economic recession. The channel through which this money gets to the masses should be opened.

These channels include banks, Treasury Single Account (TSA), and federation account. Only money belonging to the federal government should be at TSA. Buhari should not abolish TSA, but rather should review it and not allow it to affect all the agencies. If the TSA continues to operate the way it is operating, the economy will be in recession. The role of every government should be for the good of the people. Some actions taken by the present administration is causing recession. The current two digits which is the lending rate being run by the Central Bank of Nigeria is good to some extent. If the lending rate is cut further it will not go well for the economy.