Following the recent announcement of Federal Government on a new policy that will see tariffs on imported auto components and automobiles jumping from 20 per cent to 70 per cent, the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) has said that the policy is yet to take effect.

This was disclosed by the Executive secretary of the Council, Barrister Hassan Bello during an interactive session with newsmen on Wednesday, stating that the concerned authorities are deliberating on the appropriate measures of implementation.

According to him, “Automobile policy is not in operation yet because there are still some grey areas that we are still working on  and presently the Shippers Council is been involved in all the processes, soon we will have a clearer policy as far as this is concerned” He said.

He also confirmed the new tariffs changes presently in used at the port but he stressed that the council is also discussing with the shipping companies and other relevant agencies to see how an equitable port pricing system can be established at the port.

Addressing the viral complains on the indigenous ship capacity, Bello said that the sister agency, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) saddled with the responsibility is striving hard to increase the capacity.

“It is important we increase indigenous capacity, we are not a maritime nation until we acquire our own ships and am sure our sister agency NIMASA is working seriously to achieve that since that is the reason why they are set up to increase the capacity for Nigerians to have vessels and compete internationally,” He said.

Bello pointing out the effort of the Council in curbing the current cargo diversion been witnessed in the country said, “On the transit cargo, the Nigerian shippers council together with shippers council have been working together under Nigeria/Nije Joint Commission to ensure that we capture Nije cargo. Nigerian has an obligation under international laws to make sure that we facilitate the transit of cargo into our landlord countries and the efficiency of our ports have been acknowledged, am happy to say that very soon Nigeria will claim the cargoes of Nije, chad  and Cameroon,” He said.

He however mentioned that the nation is moving towards a modern system of transportation which will further give a boost to the maritime sector.