Maritime Stakeholders Call for Increase on Export Trade
NIGERIAN PORTS
By Francis Ugwoke
Maritime stakeholders weekend called for more concerted efforts to improve on export trade in the country to boost the national economy.
The stakeholders who attended a one-day sensitization programme organised by the Ministry of Transportation and the Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC) in Lagos said increasing Nigeria’s export trade will help in bailing the economy out of crisis.
The Executive Secretary of the NSC, Emmanuel Jime had in his welcome address said that about 70 percent of export cargoes were primary commodities while most imports were made up of consumer goods.
Jime said there was the need to develop Nigeria’s industrial base to balance trade and boost her economy.
According to him, the port has critical infrastructure that needs to be competitive to check monopoly.
A maritime lawyer, Dr. Emeka Akabogu said Nigeria needs to be more concerned about her export trade.
According to him, Nigeria needs to grow export considering that Nigeria’s economy was currently on her knees.
Chairperson of the Ship Owners Association, Mrs Magreth Orakwusi in her contribution said without increase in Nigeria’s export, the nation’s fragile currency, Naira, will disappear.
Orakwusi advised those involved in export business to be concerned on preserving perishable goods, adding that there was the need to ensure efficiency in handling export goods.
She stressed the need to address the issue of corruption in the system and encourage competition to attract investment and grow businesses so that the country will not go down economically.
Chairman of Road Transport Workers, Chief Remi Ogungbemi in his contribution said the NSC has been doing its best in checking corruption at the ports through the Port Standing Task Team (PSTT)
He expressed lamentation over the seizure of trucks being used by his members.
He disclosed that over 100 trucks owned by members of his Union were being held by the Customs.
He questioned a situation where goods leaving the ports could be held by the another set of customs officers.
Maritime stakeholders weekend called for more concerted efforts to improve on export trade in the country to boost the national economy.
The stakeholders who attended a one-day sensitization programme organised by the Ministry of Transportation and the Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC) in Lagos said increasing Nigeria’s export trade will help in bailing the economy out of crisis.
The Executive Secretary of the NSC, Emmanuel Jime had in his welcome address said that about 70 percent of export cargoes were primary commodities while most imports were made up of consumer goods.
Jime said there was the need to develop Nigeria’s industrial base to balance trade and boost her economy.
According to him, the port has critical infrastructure that needs to be competitive to check monopoly.
A maritime lawyer, Dr. Emeka Akabogu said Nigeria needs to be more concerned about her export trade.
According to him, Nigeria needs to grow export considering that Nigeria’s economy was currently on her knees.
Chairperson of the Ship Owners Association, Mrs Magreth Orakwusi in her contribution said without increase in Nigeria’s export, the nation’s fragile currency, Naira, will disappear.
Orakwusi advised those involved in export business to be concerned on preserving perishable goods, adding that there was the need to ensure efficiency in handling export goods.
She stressed the need to address the issue of corruption in the system and encourage competition to attract investment and grow businesses so that the country will not go down economically.
Chairman of Road Transport Workers, Chief Remi Ogungbemi in his contribution said the NSC has been doing its best in checking corruption at the ports through the Port Standing Task Team (PSTT)
He expressed lamentation over the seizure of trucks being used by his members.
He disclosed that over 100 trucks owned by members of his Union were being held by the Customs.
He questioned a situation where goods leaving the ports could be held by the another set of customs officers.
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