Published By Demilade Aderibigbe
The Lagos State Government has strongly debunked speculation making the rounds that it has scrapped the collection of wharf landing fees on imported vehicles at the ports operating in the state.
It said all categories of vehicles including containerized cargoes are still required to continue paying the wharf landing fee.
A statement by the Public Affairs Officer of the Lagos State Wharf Landing Authority (LSWLA), Mr Michael Oputeh, said the news making the round that the state government has scrapped the wharf landing fees is false. He urged all ports operators particularly freight forwarders, and clearing agents not to be misled by what was clearly a false report, that was a figment of the imaginations of those who concocted it.
According to the statement: “The attention of the Lagos State Wharf Landing Collection Authority has been drawn to misleading news that has gone viral on social media that the state government had scrapped the wharf landing fee. This is not true and must be a figment of imagination of its authors.”
Oputeh urged all operators to disregard the misleading information which claimed the fees was scrapped following series of complaints from importers and clearing agents about multiple taxation on imported vehicles.
He said the letter purported by the government was merely mandating the streamlining of fees between the LSWLA and the Lagos State Motor Vehicle Administration Agency (MVAA) on imported cars.
This to the best of our knowledge does not represent a scrapping of the landing fees as being erroneously speculated, We urge all operators not to run afoul of the law of the state, but do well to pay appropriate fees as there was no truth in the unfounded reports that hinted otherwise.
He urged anyone who is still in doubt to get across to officials of the wharf landing agency for the true position of things and have all their grievances or complaints sorted out.
The news report falsely claiming the landing fees have been scrapped quoted a letter purportedly signed by one Ogunlenu Muslim A. on behalf of the Lagos State Government, which was said to have been conveyed to the ANLCA National Secretariat that both agencies are now collaborating for seamless operation.
“I am directed to inform you that Lagos State Wharf Landing Fees Collecting Authority and Motor Vehicle Administration Agency have decided to collaborate to enable us have a seamless operation in the joint sales of Wharf Landing tickets and Temporary Vehicle Tag (TVT) at various points prescribed by Government”
“This Agreement was reached for government to have a singular point of payment for the fees,” the letter reads in part.
