Prof. Badejo delivering his lecture.
Story by Dili Utomi.
Many dignitaries were at the 19th edition of the Trans Quest Anniversary/Transport Development Symposium and awards held at the Olumo hall of the Airport hotel, Ikeja Lagos on Saturday. The occasion had the theme: Harnessing Nigeria’s Trade Tariff System for Economic Growth and Curbing Influx of Fraudulent Imports Through the Nigeria Ports.
The event had Professor Bamidele Badejo as well as Margaret Ogbonna representing the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Pius Ujubonwu representing the President General of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, Dr. Ngozika Anorue representing the Customs Area Controller of the Murtala Mohammed Airport Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, Thomas Ogbaudu representing the Apapa Port Area Commander of the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency and many others.
The organiser of the event is Felix Kumuyi, a journalist of good repute, in his opening remarks, he noted “It is unfortunate that the level of participation and the seriousness these kinds of workshops should attract, especially from our government agencies/institutions, has not been forthcoming, other than politically motivated, organisational talk shops”.
“Going forward, the theme of this year’s TransQuest Lecture/Award programme is Harnessing Nigeria’s Trade Tariff System for Economic Growth, which has been carefully chosen in the face of accusations and counter accusations relating to tax and over taxing of imports. Can we achieve a harmonious Trade Tariff System or Tax regime that is proportionate and in tandem with the prevailing realities? In the last one year, opinions on this matter have been as divided as they have been and seemingly straight jacketed; with government camp notorious for shying away from realistic appraisals and objective stakeholders engagements”.
A cross section of dignitaries at the event.
In his message as the representative of the chairman of the day, Pius Ujubonwu said that “For you to grow economically, you have to take very deliberate steps. We as a country are blessed geographically, naturally and with human resources, but are not so blessed with the ability to harness all these resources for the development of our country. This should change and we should provide the critical infrastructures needed for development and create the conditions necessary for growth otherwise we shall only be existing”. He concluded.
In his goodwill, Thomas Ogbaudu noted that the NDLEA is doing a critical job of ridding the Nigerian society of illicit drugs and shall continue to do so for social, economic and all round development of the country.
The representative of the MMA Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, Deputy Comptroller of Customs Ngozika Anorue in her goodwill message noted that the topic of discussion on the day “Cannot come at a better time as Trade and Tariff are Customs business which the eggheads at this Symposium will do justice to”.
Margaret Ogbonna of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council in her remark also added that “One of our mandates is to encourage local shipping and also that charges are harnessed as a holistic thing. We would also like to use this opportunity to appeal to all agencies that transparency is the key as you cannot talk about trade facilitation without transparency”.
Professor Badejo who was guest lecturer in his presentation said that “The essence of having good tariff is to promote good governance”.
His words “Tariff have historically been a tool for government to collect revenue. Also, they are a way for government to try to protect domestic producers. Thereby using the tariff as a protectionist’s tool. Generally, applying tariffs increases the prices of imports. Tariffs are imposed by government, no individual or organisation that can determine tariff rates or duties”.
He noted that “There is huge conflict between economists and other disciplines, they argue that tariffs when imposed creates market distortions that can actually harm domestic consumers overtime. Tariff could also be used for retaliation between countries because of their political differences. Tariff in addition, could be used as political tool to manage relationships. Tariff setting therefore involves complex negotiations and considerations of possible retaliation with trading partners”.
Professor Badejo concluded that “For economic growth and stability of the country, there is need to improve on the trade tariff system and to checkmate incessant fraudulent practises at the nation’s Ports”.
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