THE AFRICAN COURIER. Reporting Africa and its Diaspora! The African Courier is an international magazine published in Germany to report on Africa and the Diaspora African experience. The first issue of the bimonthly magazine appeared on the newsstands on 15 February 1998. The African Courier is a communication forum for European-African political, economic and cultural exchanges, and a voice for Africa in Europe.
The Federal Government of Nigeria has banned the importation of vehicles into Nigeria through the land borders. The ban takes effect from 1 January 2017. According to a statement by the Public Relations Officer of the Nigerian Customs, Wale Adeniyi, “The prohibition order covers all new and used vehicles.” He added, “The ban is sequel to a Presidential Directive restricting all vehicle imports to Nigerian sea ports only”.
The measure will stop the practice of importers routing their vehicles through the ports of neighbouring countries such as Benin and Togo. Cotonou is a favourite port used by importers in Nigeria because the duties charged at the port are much cheaper than in Lagos.
The restriction on importation of vehicles follows that of rice, whose import has been banned through the land borders since April 2016. “Importers of vehicles through the land borders are requested to utilise the grace up till 31 December 2016 to clear their vehicle imports landed in neighbouring ports,” the statement added.
Sesan Adeoye
