By Dipo Olowookere
Owners of ships in Nigeria have kicked against the imposition of 15 percent Customs duty on their vessels, describing this as unfair especially when vessels belonging to foreign nationals pay as low as one percent.
The aggrieved persons, who spoke on the issue yesterday under aegis of Ship Owners Association of Nigerian (SOAN), want government to review the policy to save the industry in Nigeria.
President of SOAN, Mr Greg Ogbeifun, said at a stakeholders meeting organized by the Alumni of Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron, that the policy has put Nigerian ship-owners at a very disadvantaged position and given the foreign vessel owners a competitive edge.
“There is a contention between the Ministry of Transport and that of Finance, while the Transport Ministry is working towards reducing the payment of such high duty on vessels, the Finance Ministry through the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), wants to maintain the duty in a bid to meet or surpass its targeted revenue collection.
“There is a fundamental problem with the industry and we must put our fingers on the issues affecting the industry.
“Already being a Nigerian flagged vessel, you are at a disadvantage and this is not good for the industry. We must look into the law with regards to this issue,” Mr Ogbeifun told Vanguard.
He said further that his group was making efforts to ensure President Muhammadu Buhari wade into the matter.
Adedapo Adesanya 
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