Vehicle import at one of the nation’s busiest seaports, Tin-Can Island Command, has dropped from 32,000 units in 2018 to 4000 in 2023.
The cargo throughput of vehicles initially dropped from 32,000 in 2018 to about 6000 in 2021 and dropped further to its present 4000.
The drop in cargo may not be unconnected to the high exchange rate of dollars to naira.
The situation has seen the authority in charge of the Tin-Can Island Port, expressed worries over the recent drop in cargo throughput in the last five years.
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Customs Controller, Tin-Can Island Command, Dera Nnadi, made this disclosure when the newly elected executive of the Association of the Nigerian Licensed Customs Agent (ANLCA) paid him a courtesy visit.
He said as a result of the shortfall, the command is struggling to meet its revenue target, not because it is incompetent but because of the recession globally.
Tin-Can Island Command boss disclosed that many vehicles remained uncleared and abandoned in the port arising from the high exchange rates.
He said from the revenue that the command had so far realised, he has a duty to generate the balance of N350 billion to make the command’s revenue target in the next three months.
According to him, the service realised about N3 trillion in 2022 and can do better in 2023 as a result of the appointment of an officer as the head of the service.
Speaking earlier, the National President of ANLCA, Emenike Nwekeoji, pledged the support of his group to help the service achieve its goal.
