By Rahanetu Abuh
The President of the Association of West African Exporters and Maritime Professionals (AWAEMAP), Hon.Olumekun Olubunmi on Thursday called on the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) to urgently wade into the ongoing delays in export shipment linked to the newly introduced Nigeria Export Proceed (NXP) policy, which he said has since reduced export trade by over 40 percent.
Hon Olubumi who was speaking during an emergency stakeholders meeting called at the instance of the Lily Pond Export Terminal Command of the Nigeria Customs Service lamented that the challenge has resulted a near halt to export trade with exporters and the allied logistics value chain facing severe financial losses.
He called on NPA to escalate the problem to the originating ministry of finance and relevant agencies of government involved in the new policy to quickly work out a remedy.
Stakeholders had at the meeting revealed that the integration of the NXP into the Trade and Transport Portal (TTP) by NPA which was designed to streamline export processes has instead resulted the reverse, creating confusion and financial setbacks for exporters.
The stakeholders complained particularly about the policy demand attached NXP Number to containers as a major drawback given the delays associated with the processes and procedures leading to the number generation.
Participants in the meeting agreed that their request for urgent intervention is not only for their own benefit but also serves the interests of the nation as a whole, since perishable goods that suffered undue delays associated with the NXP Policy will double down the image of the country in the world market.
They stressed the importance of finding a solution that accommodates all parties involved.
The Customs Area Controller of the Lilypond Export Command, H. R Odusanya said the Nigeria Customs Service is always available to jaw jaw with the NPA and others to find a solution around the challenge.
“This emergency meeting is because the NXP policy being operated by the Nigerian Port Authority through the TTP and the Export Processing Terminals for the movement of export cargoes into the port.
He said, “We customs are here because our motive is to make sure that our distinguished stakeholders are happy with whatever is being deployed that affects their goods.”
“It is when our stakeholders are happy that we are also happy”, he said.
Alhaji Nofiu, representing the stakeholders, stated that they are not asking the NPA to abandon the NXP contrary to the argument advanced by the representative of the Authority
‘s AGM Operations, Mrs. Oladimo; since it wasn’t the NPA that developed the policy.
“We are urging the NPA to take action to resolve the crisis, given that they are responsible for its implementation. We know that NPA alone can discuss the problem with the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC).”
Hon. Olubumi suggested that the FG should revert to the Single Window arrangement as an interim measure, noting that it is obvious that neither the Finance Ministry, the Central Bank of Nigeria or PEBEC have no practical understanding of the working of the NXP system.
