One of the issues that continue to raise more questions than answers in the maritime industry in Nigeria today is the collection of Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP) by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).
Many have argued that the levy is already included in the payment made by importers, licensed customs agents and transporters in the delivery charges to the terminal operators on the concession agreement.
However, there is duplicated collection by Nigerian Port Authority on Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP) on Trucks, which is already collected by the terminal operators in the delivery charges (DC) paid by Importers/ Licensed Customs Agents/ Transporters on cargo operational rate in the concession agreement.
The operational rates of the lease agreement to Terminal operators includes rate for Cargo Dues (CD) and Delivery Charges (DC), which states that the charges are paid by the consignee, the Cargo Dues is paid in USD and Delivery Charges are paid in Naira. There is also a VEP (Vehicle Entry Permit) and Tally Sheet &TPR (Tenure Parking Rate) Charge per Truck entering into the Port premise.
The Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP) and Tenure Parking Rate (TPR) are all included in the Delivery Charges (DC) paid by the Importer/ Licensed Customs Agents for the daily access of Trucks/ Trailer to load and packing tenure, which is holding bay for Trucks/Trailers
It can also be argued that the collection by Nigerian Port Authority negates the concept of the present port operation that excludes the Ports Authority from port operation relating to cargo.
Recently, the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO), Comrade Aloga Ogbogo reiterated that the purpose of truck standard has been defeated and there is need for the new MD to ask questions and revoke the N10,000 VEP.
“The project on truck standardization is already dead on arrival and before now we have stated that the N10,000 collection from truck operators is illegal because what they are asking for is what the importer has already settled” Ogbogo told journalists.
He said NPA is collecting money for services that it did not render and requested that the Vehicle Entry Permit Scheme should be investigated by the new NPA boss.
“Before the consignee import through a vessel, he has already paid the cost because the trucks coming to lift the cargo has already be instructed by the consignee”
However, NPA’s General Manager Public Affairs, Capt. Ihenacho Ebubeogu, has said that those against the collection of N10, 000 vehicle entry permit are owners of rickety trucks falling and killing people on major roads.
