@iyke- hope all is well. Have you been able to secure your NAFDAC import license (to import SA wine) yet? If so, how difficult was it to get? Thanks.

@vickynet39- what exactly are you offering or what's your expertise in the 9ja wine industry? Thanks.

Would like to touch base with @niassawa and @realnaija!!!!! You guys ain't been on this forum for a while, thanks.

@merrilyn- are you in based in lagos?

@eros- please don't get me wrong- do NOT under any circumstances base your decision on whether to get into the biz or not solely by what you read here! While info on this forum can stand as a guide YOU have to get out there and see things for yourself. Who knows you might not run into ALL the problems we've run into (but you can rest assured you'll run into SOME)!!! So get out there and get dirty! One thing you could look into is starting out small (test the market with one truck and one flatbed for starters). That way if you need to pull out you might be able to recuperate some of your initial investment by selling the truck and stuff.
Best of luck with your decision(s) bro.

, folks, listen to what @hauler is saying- he ain't lying;

there're so many hidden and inconceivable costs from LASMA, the cops, touts, area boys, etc. that you have to settle DAILY that it's real difficult to put a profit and loss statement in place. Insurance is very important also esp. the goods in transit insurance, so also is where you park your truck(s) at night- I've had a couple of brain boxes stolen from my trucks, chained down rims/spare tires stolen, etc, etc.

If you're gonna get into the biz you better make sure you have someone real trustworthy running the show for you- preferably someone who's ass you can kick and trust me you'll feel like kicking some ass sooner than later. I always have my baseball bat handy- so if you ever see some guy out there wielding a baseball bat- c'est moi! It really is a cut throat biz- get ready to WORK and get dirty so if you've held a desk job all your life this might not be the biz for you! I kid you not! Remember you're gonna be in the burning heat!!

If you do business in the ports at Apapa you'll have to 'grease' some palms there also. I wouldn't have believed all the shenanigans that go on in the biz if i ain't witnessed it first hand. You cannot possibly split yourself between the number of trucks you have so once again you're at the mercy of your manager(s) and drivers and they'll inflate cost of repairs, fines, or anything they can think of.

That said, so what's the bottom line- is there money to be made in the biz- a hell yea- if you have the stomach and skin for it!!!
'Nuff said.

P.S. Another way to conduct the business is just rent the truck out to someone you know but then you again run the risk of not getting your monthly dues on time so whichever way you look at it- you're screwed, but don't get me wrong some people get their money regularly and if you've warned the drivers and managers that if they $&G* up you'll put a cap up their asses- you might just make it.

Best of luck y'all- you'll need it but do listen to @hauler he seems more realistic than the other fellow!- my two cents!

One last thing- when the money starts rolling in- and it will roll in- make sure you save a lot of it 'cos all of your trucks might just decide to break down at the same time- God forbid but it happens!!!!

I've also heard that they're a lot of fetish people in the biz but I pray i never run into 'em! Keep God first (baseball bat 2nd) and you should be okay!


By the way- I used to be a suit and tie-sit-behind-a-desk guy, got tired of that but see what I've been turned into- go figure

@deija and @docchisong- are you guys still having problems placing your trucks (or finding reputable outfits to manage your trucks) AND most importantly are your trucks in Lagos?

what kind of industry? what do you make/manufacture?

Would like to contact you (kizzymack) re: construction of the tanker? My email address is tahiti4u@gmail.com.
Thanks.