Many agents are lamenting the loss of importers daily due to the high rate of imported vandalised vehicles in Nigeria.
Recent reports reveal that many agents have been arrested and brutalized over the high rate of these incidents.
Clearing agents who spoke on the unpleasant occurrences disclosed that 85% of imported vehicles into the country are vandalized which had led to massive job loss as most clients have ceased giving them jobs.
Speaking on the issue, the youth leader of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) Tincan Island chapter Remilekun Saliu disclosed that a lot of agents have been detained and assaulted because of the issue of missing motor parts that we’re causing by the terminals/shipping companies.
He added that in Grande Lagos, on April 2, 70 percent of the vehicle discharged have been vandalized, noting that the majority of them do not have keys while clearing agents are left to bear the consequences. He said due to this problem, a lot of professionals have lost valuable importers.
Several other agents lamented bitterly on the terrible incidents of missing motor parts, noting that importers have failed to understand that it is not their fault. They disclosed that they have complained and written to relevant authorities to look into the matter but to no avail.
Investors King understands that the importation of vehicles into Nigerian ports has continuously been characterized by theft, majorly of car batteries, keys, and sensors as well as vandalism at various levels.
Findings revealed that some of these dastardly acts are usually carried out by port thieves fondly called “wharf rats”, that thrive at the Lagos terminals, especially at Tin Can Island Port. But they have now extended to bonded terminals.
Findings at the bonded terminals also unearthed several complaints from freight forwarders that vehicles in transit from the ports to the terminals are tampered with, while some have alleged poor insecurity inside some of the bonded terminals.
Agents have therefore pleaded with the management of PTML terminals to beef up their security because such action has led to them losing importers daily.