The Shippers’ Association Lagos State (SALS) has urged the incoming government to assist shippers in reducing the costs of doing business at the seaports.

The president of the association, Jonathan Nicol said that high port charges have affected the costs of doing business in Nigeria and encouraged diversion of cargoes to neighbouring countries, according to a report by the Daily Trust.

He said: “We have a very big problem in the maritime sector. We believe that government will stick to the maritime sector as one of the most important aspects of the nation’s economy.

“This will enable other Nigerian shippers who have gone to the neighbouring ports to come back. We pledge our support for the incoming government in the aspect of revenue generation at the ports.”

The association said Nigerians needed basic infrastructure such as good roads, water supply, uninterrupted power supply, good health facilities and free education.

Nicol said that government should reverse the automotive policy which imposed a 70 percent levy and duty on imported vehicles, pending the mass production of made-in-Nigeria cars.

“If the automotive policy comes into existence without sufficient production of cars in the country, such a policy can destroy the transport sector,” he concluded.

–Daily Trust