The 3rd quarter of the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN)’s Breakfast Meeting took place today in Lagos with stakeholders calling for efficient planning adherent to true declaration and obeying the international trade rules and regulations.
The MARAN Breakfast Meeting titled: “Trade Facilitation and Tinubu’s Economic Agenda drew critical stakeholders who praised the organiser for putting the development of the Nigerian economy at the front burner.
Present at the event include Comrade Fadipe Moses Olayemi , Dr Muda Yusuf, Mr
Lucky Eyis Amiwero, Representative of the Executive Secretary/CEO of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Barrister Pius Akutah, Representatives of the National Association of the National Association of Approved Freight Forwarders, NAGAFF, Ports Police, NDLEA, DSS, as well as Berge Operators Association of Nigeria, BOAN, Ports Manager, Lagos Ports Complex, Dr Charles Ogaga.
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The stakeholders said for the 8 Point Agenda, they believe because of the country’s population advantage, the country is on the right track to achieve meaningful progress in its drive to become a foremost economy giant in the world.
They said Nigeria needs a Marine Economy Blueprint.
They said Nigeria with a lot of vessels owners has a veritable advantage.
The Executive Secretary/CEO Of The Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Barrister Pius Ukeyima Akutah said Council has continued to promote and advocate the digitalization of Nigerian port process and operations.”
“We are happy to report that over ninety (90%) of port processes and Operations are now automated reducing considerably human interactions and all its negative attributes.
He noted that Dala, Funtua and Kaduna Inland Dry Ports in Kano, Kats’na and Kaduna states respectively are Operational, having been commissioned and designated as port of origin and final destination for inward and outward cargo respectively. According to him, the shipping community in these inland locations are aready taking the benefits of these facilities in the conduct of their businesses.
“The President’s directives that immediate steps be taken to complete and commission the remaining legacy IDP projects are pursued with vigor. Similarly, efforts are being geared to the development of Vehicle Transit Areas (VTAs) across the country to facilitate the safety and security of cargo in transit. The Nigerian Shippers’ Council is intensifying efforts to ameliorate the challenges faced by cross border traders at land border posts by the establishment of Border Information Centres (BICs). This is being done in collaboration with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and Borderless Alliance (BA). Four (4) BICs have been established at:
Seme-Krake border between Nigeria and Benin Republic 2. Jibia — Marradi border between Nigeria and Niger
Mfum-Ekot border between Nigeria and Cameroon 4, Illela-Bimin Koni border between Nigeria and Niger
while two (2) more BICs shall be established under the Council’s current strategic plan.
Plans have reached advanced stages with regard to the establishment of a BIC at the Idiroko Border Post.
BICs are veritable facilities for gathering data on cross border trade for policy making as well as providing trade facilitating information to cross border stakeholders.”
MARAN president, Mr Godfrey Bivereto said it is a bit disturbing that a recent rating of port efficiency tabulation where Togo topped the subregion in areas of modernization, efficient port trade cost, vessels turnaround time, among other variables.
“MARAN is concerned that while Nigeria boasts of a very large port system with huge import inflow, a sizable chunk of this cargo is diverted to neighbouring ports owing to their efficient services; while the same cargo finds its way back to Nigeria, often via smuggling.
It is equally of note that whereas, President Tinubu’s administration has drawn up a purposeful recovery blueprint for the economy, some of the administration’s policy direction appeared to have assumed too combative posturing, with an inevitable backlashes resulting in observed disruption in the fiscal and macroeconomic system; while also causing major distortions in the market.
He advised that the desire to rejig the national revenue system and jumpstart critical fiscal measures should not be compressed into a too tight short term template because of its disruptive reactions.
“A balancing must be sought, especially in view of the fact that the nation export base is still very weak, making us largely import dependent.
According to him a realistic middle of the way will be the best approach, if also this government makes the genuine effort at reducing its alleged huge spending and administrative overhead costs.
It is my singular honour having laid down the likely scope of our discourse this morning with the above fundamentals, to thank you again for finding the time to sit with us in the joint effort to identify the critical levers essential to maintaining governance and the national economy; while also seeking to uphold the necessary balance in the market and the guarantees it affords consumers via improved policy focus and pricing stability; in addition to an improved governance culture that seriously frowns at wastages and unproductive political philandering exacerbated by official ostentatious lifestyle.
As an ambassador of the Time Released Study, TRS, l cannot conclude this speech without talking about the TRS which is being embarked upon by the Nigeria Customs Service, with the pilot scheme at Tin-can Island Port Command.
Should I ask now how long it takes to clear cargo from any of the ports in Nigeria, there will be different responses ranging from a week to one month or even more.
The president of the Importers Association of Nigeria (IMAN), Dr Alban Igwe said
“Trade facilitation is a strategic issue for Nigeria and very apt for an economy seeking recovery, adding trade facilitation solutions is worthy of occupying our breakfast table especially every maritime stakeholder.
“For the avoidance of doubt, Trade facilitation refers to the simplification, standardization and harmonization of procedures and associated information flows required to move goods from seller to buyer and to make payment. It is built on four strategic pillars such as Transparency, Information and advice need to be available for all who participate in
trade, Simplification, harmonization and Standardization.
“The main objective of trade facilitation has traditionally been that of reducing the complexities and costs associated with cumbersome border procedures and controls, while maintaining efficient compliance controls. Measures to actively facilitate trade are increasingly seen as essential in assisting developing countries expand trade and benefit from globalization.
He said the capacity of developing countries to efficiently move goods and connect manufacturers and consumers with international markets demands is a strong measure of the efficiency of our trade
facilitation policy. The Importers Association of Nigeria would like to express her commitment to collaborating with MARAN towards developing the capacity to continuously interrogate Nigeria’s trade facilitation
policy with a view to ultimately improving her trade competitiveness.
