The Importers Association of Nigeria (IMAN) has decried the rising cost of cargo clearance at Nigerian ports, revealing that while it costs between N7 million and N8 million to clear a 20-foot container in Cotonou, Benin Republic, the same container attracts between N14 million and N15 million at Apapa Port in Lagos.

The Association described the disparity as a major reason many Nigerian importers are diverting cargoes to neighbouring West African countries, including Benin Republic, Ghana and Togo, where port charges are lower and operations are more efficient.

In an interview with Vanguard in Apapa, Lagos, IMAN South West Chairman, Joseph Ajoku, strongly rejected the recent increase in tariffs by shipping lines and terminal operators, warning that the development would worsen inflation, increase the cost of goods and further cripple import businesses across the country.

The association stated that a 40-foot container, which costs about N13 million to N14 million to clear in Benin Republic, currently attracts between N19 million and N20 million in Nigeria.

According to IMAN, the increasing cost of doing business at Nigerian ports has continued to weaken the country’s competitiveness within the West African sub-region.

“Our findings reveal that smaller West African countries such as Ghana, Togo, Benin Republic and Burkina Faso are recording significant improvements in operational efficiency and service delivery.

“For instance, at Benin Republic ports, a 20-foot container can be cleared at approximately N7 million to N8 million, compared to N14 million to N15 million at Apapa Port, Nigeria. Similarly, a 40-foot container costs approximately N13 million to N14 million to clear in Benin Republic, while the same container costs about N19 million to N20 million at Apapa Port,” the association stated.

Also speaking, the National General Secretary of IMAN, Aliyu Yar’adua, said importers remain critical to the survival of the Nigerian economy, stressing that the sector contributes massively to government revenue generation.

“After oil, it is what importers bring into the economy that keeps the country moving. Importers are the lifeline of government revenue,” he said.

Yar’adua appealed to the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) to halt further tariff increases and ensure proper consultations with importers before approving any adjustment in shipping and terminal charges.

He warned that many importers were already struggling under the weight of high foreign exchange rates, rising bank interest rates and multiple port charges, adding that some businesses had abandoned cargoes because they could no longer afford the costs involved.

According to him, allowing additional tariff increases at a time Nigerians are battling economic hardship would only worsen inflation and push more businesses to neighbouring countries.