The Federal government on Wednesday assured that it will look into the issue of alleged multiple revenue generation and collection that made Nigerian gateway airports as the most expensive in the world
The assurance was given by the Chairman, Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reform, (PFPTR), Dr. Taiwo Oyedele at the Fourth Quarter Business Breakfast Meeting (BBM Q4) organised by Aviation SafetyAviation Safety Roundtable Initiative (ASRI)
The quartely breakfast meeting themed:.Nigerian Aviation Sector Charges Duties and Tariffs; truly exorbitant? .was held at the Golfview Hotels, GRA, Ikeja, Lagos.
Oloyede who lamented the negative perception the recent reports of International Airport Transport Association (IATA) on two Nigerians prominent international airports- Murtala Muhammed International Airport Lagos and Nnamidi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja as most prohibitive in the world because of excessive charges, taxes, and levies imposed by different agentsvat the ports noted that the allegation must be addressed urgently whether they are genuine or not.
He said the attention is important because the negative impressions it would have created in the minds of proospective foreign investors in country.
The PFPTR boss who acknowledged the pivotal roles aviation sector plays in the development of Nigerian economy noted that though there are enormous potential yet untapped in the sector, affirmed that challenges abound in the nation’s airports.
:Recent revelations from IATA rank our Lagos and Abuja airports as the two most expensive in the world, no thanks to the endless levies, taxes, fees and charges. Whether or not this assertion is accurate, the mere perception of it is detrimental and demands our urgent attention,” he said.
He affirmed that if Nigeria wants to be competitive in the global market, she cannot burden businesses with complex processes; but has to cease taxing seeds but foster a business friendly environment that will produce taxable products.
He said, “Aa a nation, we cannot aspire to be competitive while at the same time burdening businesses with complex processes. We must cease taxing seeds and, instead, foster an environment that encourages businesses to thrive, bearing fruits that we can tax”
He therefore, assured of the readiness of PFPTRC, inline with its mandate,to support aviation in overcoming the challenges.
“In this pursuit, the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee was established, with a clear mandate to harmonize taxes and revenue collection agencies, promote business growth, and cultivate a competitive landscape, among others.
“On behalf of the PFPTR, I assure you of our readiness to support the aviation sector in overcoming these challenges,’ he concluded.
The Chairman of Nigerian Association of Freight Forwarders and Consolidators (NAFFAC), Airport Sector, Lam Abdul Abue who stated that the interest of his association is towards creating a progressive operating environment to facilitate seamless international trade in the country saidthe body is concerned about freight rates issued by Ground Handling companies, carriers and statutory rates charged by government agencies.
He said the rates imposed on these cargoes – export or mports aee major factors which will determine if the cargoes can compete or not in the market.
Abdul who stated that Nigerian exports cannot compete favourably in the world market called for the intervention of Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) on how-to address these charges.
Besides exorbitant statutory revenue collected by government agencies in the sector, the NAFFAC boss alleged that is proliferation of illegal charges and levies collected on cargoes in the country.
‘,He said, We shall not be doing justice to our presentation if we fail to mention the arbitrary and unofficial tariff placed on cargo by personnel of the federal government agencies posted to the sheds.
“In this regard we look forward to the personnel of the federal government agencies posted to the shed to interrogate themselves whether this collections engender ease of doing business, public good, morality and integrity knowing fully well that every unnecessary naira a kobo added to the cost of cargo delivery have a ripple effect from high towers ground zero, from the richest city dwellers to the poorest rural dwellers of the country,”
Earlier in his welcome address at the event, ASRI President, Air Commodore Ademola Onitiju (Rtd) said recent submission by some participants at both local and internatioal events labeling charges at Nigerian airports especially Abuja and Lagos Airports as among the most prohibitive in the world, called for the theme of the Fourth Quarter Breakfast Business Meeting (MMB Q4) and gathering of intellectuals to review the situation and provide the way forward.
“The recent submission by some participants at both local and international aviation events labeling charges at Nigerian airports especially Abuja and Lagos Airports were among the most prohibitive in the world. As with most issues deserving of attention.
“we decided to gather a respectable collegiate of knowledgeable individuals and organisations to interrogate the subject of Charges and Tariffs as applicable in the Nigerian Aviation Sector,” Onitiju said.
