Over 2,000 trucks trapped on border corridors – ANLCA president

The Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) says more than 2,000 trucks laden with   goods are trapped at the Nigerian land borders.

The National President of ANLCA, Mr Tony Nwabunike, made the disclosure at a media briefing in Lagos.

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According to him, the ongoing land  border closure had brought some gains to the country but  should be reviewed for the benefit of legitimate importers.

“Six months into the Seme Border closure which commenced on Aug. 20, 2019,  the Federal Government keeps saying it will reopen the border soon.

“The present situation of goods now at the Seme Border is very sad; something should be done to reduce the suffering of  importers of these goods,” Nwabunike said.

According to him,  some of the imported goods have decayed and attracted maggots.

He said that the  goods had been under harsh weather.

Nwabunike urged that the borders should not be permanently closed, adding importers had lost huge amounts of money to the  closure.

He appealed the Federal Government to urgently review the situation and  allow dutiable goods from the affected neighbouring countries  to come in.

Nwabunike said that the  approach would save many businesses from dying and ameliorate the indebtedness that many genuine businessmen and women found themselves in due to the border closure.

He noted that the border closure  had led to port congestion due to the fact that the facilities at the port were not adequate for the huge traffic.

“Our members are besieging us at the secretariat with the numerous problems they face due to the border closure and problems at the port.

“Some of the issues have to do with traffic gridlock due to bad access roads, lack of  scanners, multiple units of government agencies in and around the ports,” Nwabunike said.

He urged government to dredge the Calabar and Warri ports for effective  diversion of ships to the  ports.