By DIANA OMUEZA

The Sea Empowerment and Research Centre (SEREC), has urged the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) to cancel tax duplication on freights.

The Head Researcher of the Centre, Mr Eugene Nweke, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Abuja.

Nweke said that the cost of doing business in the country was high due to tax duplication, adding that it called for concern.

“There is a need to address too many taxes and charges and duplicated functions.

“This is a major infraction to the regional trans-shipment hub objectives,” he said.

Nweke said that addressing the duplication of taxes would encourage and attract investors and sustain existing businesses in the country.

He said that without the elimination of duplicate taxes, businesses may crumble, especially with the anticipated reintroduction of new charges and levies of four per cent customs operation funding.

Nweke also urged forwarders to support supply chain security through strict implementation of compliance with standard imports.

“Forwarders must shun activities aiding the influx of fake, substandard, pirated, and dangerous imports and exports,” he said.

Nweke urged freight forwarders to uphold their roles in driving the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to enhance shipping logistics.

He said that the AfCFTA was a critical tool for the advancement of the shipping industry and would enable the shipment of more vessels to the country and boost the economy. (NAN)