The federal government has called on stakeholders at the ports to collaborate on creating a regulatory framework that empowers exporters, streamlines processes, and unlocks Nigeria’s commodity export potential, aiming to ensure continuous growth in non-oil exports.
The government assured stakeholders that it will implement policies to support export trade.
The Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investment, Nura Rimi, emphasised this during a one-day stakeholders’ workshop organised by the ministry in conjunction with the Nigeria Shippers Council (NSC) on Wednesday.
Rimi urged all stakeholders to play a role in developing non-oil exports, highlighting the workshop’s theme: “Port Economic Regulation and Its Impact on Shipment of Export Commodities through Nigerian Ports.”
Represented by the Director of the Commodities and Export Department, Kaura Irimiya, Rimi stressed the critical role of Nigerian ports in enhancing export efficiency and competitiveness.
He noted the vast wealth of exportable commodities in Nigeria, particularly agricultural produce, stating, “Our ability to efficiently export these commodities is crucial for our economic growth and international competitiveness. The smooth flow of exports heavily relies on ports functioning at their optimal capacity.”
Rimi called for a collaborative effort to develop a regulatory framework that empowers exporters and optimises the export process.
He explained that the Export Commodities Coordinating Committee (ECCC) was established in response to the challenges of the Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP), which led to the privatisation of state-owned industries and the abolition of commodity marketing boards.
In his welcome address, the Executive Secretary/CEO of the Nigerian Shippers Council, Pius Akutah, highlighted the NSC’s efforts in cost moderation, setting operational standards, and mediating disputes to ensure harmony in the port sector.
Akutah pointed out the high transport costs associated with Nigeria’s agricultural export commodities, attributing these to factors such as inefficient port operations, high cargo handling charges, inadequate infrastructure, and port congestion.
“The high cost of cargo movement can be attributed to various factors including inefficient port operations, high cargo handling charges, inadequate transportation and storage infrastructure, long delays and congestion at the ports, high fuel costs, and inadequate competition in the transport sector,” Akutah explained.
He noted that these factors significantly contribute to the non-competitiveness of Nigerian exports in the global market.
