Concerns have been raised by the Nigerian Senate regarding the Federal Government’s ban on the importation of vehicles through land borders. The Senate on Wednesday revised the policy and described it as an anti-people policy that can further affect the citizens.

As a matter of fact, the lawmakers strongly rejected the policy and called on the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to instantly postpone the implementation of the policy which began on January 1, 2017. They even went on to order the Committee on Customs and Excise, to look into the situations that led to the surprising decision of the Federal Government.

The committee, which is headed by Hope Uzodinma, is expected to report back within two weeks. But this ban, if lifted, can increase chances of owning more cars as they will be cheaper, since the rate of clearing vehicles entering the country through the ports is higher than what is being paid at the borders.

According to the Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu (photo), the President should hearken unto the cries of Nigerians and withdraw the decision.

“From the contributions made, it is obvious that the policy is unpopular. We are representatives of the people and the people have spoken through us that they do not want this policy. I think those in government should listen to them,” he said.

While the members of the Senate see the ban as unpopular, absurd and an anti-peoples policy, the Chairman, Automobile and Allied Sectorial Group of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industries (LCCI), Oseme Oigiagbe, said the rejection of the policy would encourage illegitimate jobs and also defeat the objectives of the automotive policy of the Federal Government, the Guardian reports.

Anita Fatunji