The freight forwarders operating at the Ports & Terminal Multipurpose Limited and the Tin-Can Island ports had on Monday embarked on an indefinite strike over what they described as an improper implementation of the electronic valuation and e-invoicing policy of the Federal Government via the Central Bank of Nigeria.
They also accused the Nigeria Customs Service of increasing duties payable on imported vehicles unnecessarily.
The development has slowed down vehicle clearing activities at the ports. Operators are afraid the situation may lead to congestion at the ports.
In what appears to be a solidarity move, car dealers in Lagos State said they were joining the striking agents, adding that car marts in the state would be shut by 12noon on Friday.
This was contained in a letter on Thursday, signed by the General Secretary of the association, Olantra Tia, a copy of which was obtained by our correspondent.
The letter was titled, “Shutdown of all car lots in Lagos State in solidarity with Nigerian Association of Freight Forwarders’ current strike action.”
According to the letter, the freight forwarders are pursuing a common and there is a need to support them.
