The Nigerian Shippers’ Council, NSC, and other stakeholders have identified a multiplicity of charges and cumbersome procedures as factors discouraging exports from Nigeria. They stated this at a one-day stakeholders’ enlightenment meeting with the theme, “Proper Packaging System: An Essential Tool For Agro Export” organized by the NSC in Makurdi.
The meeting which was hosted by the NSC Executive Secretary, Mr. Pius Akutah in a communique recommended proper packaging, and labelling of non-oil products to international standards to enhance the fortunes of the export sector and ensure Nigeria’s economic growth.
The meeting which had in attendance exporters, personnel from the military, paramilitary, traditional institutions, business owners, and the media among others pointed out that “cumbersome procedures and multiplicity of charges and agencies involved in the export logistics chain give rise to prohibitive cost which discourage exporters and make Nigerian exportable products uncompetitive at the international market.”
According to them “Nigeria’s mono-sector economy is being seriously threatened and it has therefore become very pertinent to diversify the economy through export of agricultural farm produce resources available in Benue State.”
They noted “the abundance of exportable perishable agricultural products in Benue State and indeed all over Nigeria that are in high demand at the international market but are not being fully harnessed for export to the detriment of the nation’s economic growth and development and its impacts on the GDP.”
They urged that “the NSC, Nigerian Export Promotion Council, Central Bank Of Nigeria, NEXIM, Organized Private Sector and other critical stakeholders should sustain the advocacy for value addition on an agricultural product meant for export to ensure accessibility of export financing and break the jinx of constant rejection of Nigerian export commodity in the international market to make them competitive at the global market.”
The stakeholders also stressed among others the need for the establishment of a Benue warehouse where agro produce such as orange, sesame seeds, soya beans and mangoes originating from the state could be stored for export even as they noted that farmers’ insecurity occasioned by banditry and herders-farmers clashes were causing huge losses to farmers of cash crops in local and foreign revenue.
at the international market but are not being fully harnessed for export to the detriment of the nation’s economic growth and development and its impacts on the GDP.”
They urged that “the NSC, Nigerian Export Promotion Council, Central Bank Of Nigeria, NEXIM, Organized Private Sector and other critical stakeholders should sustain the advocacy for value addition on an agricultural product meant for export to ensure accessibility of export financing and break the jinx of constant rejection of Nigerian export commodity in the international market to make them competitive at the global market.”
The stakeholders also stressed among others the need for the establishment of a Benue warehouse where agro produce such as orange, sesame seeds, soya beans and mangoes originating from the state could be stored for export even as they noted that farmers’ insecurity occasioned by banditry and herders-farmers clashes were causing huge losses to farmers of cash crops in local and foreign revenue.
“Also the Makurdi River Port should be developed by the government and private sector for coastal shipping and inland waterways transportation to enhance movement of cargoes to the hinterland all year round.
“The government should create business enabling environment to encourage private sector participation in the development and investment of transport support infrastructure facilities of the economy such as Inland Depot Project, IDP, Truck Transit Park, TTP, also known as Truck Transit park, TTP, in Benue State.
“The Government at all levels should promote the processing of Raw materials and value addition to increase their value for export and create job opportunities for our unemployed youths.
“Agriculture Credit facilities and financial, institutions such as BOA, BOI, NIRSAL, Commercial and microfinance Banks should be strengthened and simplified to make is easier for exporters to navigate the too cumbersome access to credit facilities”, the communique further read.
The Executive Secretary of the NSC, Mr. Pius Akutah, represented by the Director, Consumer Affairs Department of the Council, Mr. Glory Onyejado charged participants to bear their minds on issues hindering the export of goods from the state and country and state what should be done to address the situation.
