Vehicle dealers in Sokoto State have urged the Federal Government to reverse the ban on importation of vehicles through land borders.
The Chairman of the Motor Dealers Association in the state, Alhaji Muntari Mafia, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday, February 5.
Mafia said with the government's efforts to get the economy out of recession, reversing the ban will compliment the hard work.
He said: "This is to boost the economic growth of the country, curb poverty and reduce unemployment-induced crimes.
"Even
though the Federal Government has its wisdom for implementing the
policy, it is ill-timed,considering the economic recession, high foreign
exchange rate and increasing unemployment."
He further said the prevailing economic situation in the country has reduced the ability of Nigerians to purchase vehicles.
He
lamented that the low value of the naira, coupled with the high
exchange rate has "conspired" to kill the automobile business in parts
of the nation.
Mafia
added that the high prices of automobiles has gone beyond the reach of
the average Nigerian, saying "that is why our business premises have
been deserted."
"We are humbly and passionately appealing to the Federal Government to reverse the ban.
"This is because auto dealers have only been struggling to survive the harsh economic situation.
"The
downward review of duties on imported automobiles would also boost
socio-economic activities and bolster revenue generation for the Federal
Government."
He said the current price of a vehicle could purchase three vehicles hitherto, due to the fluctuating foreign exchange rate.
The ban on the importation of vehicles through the land borders took effect on January 1.
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