The Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), In it's bid to encourage and facilitate cross border trade, is intensifying efforts to ameliorate the challenges faced by cross border traders at land border posts by the establishment of Border Information Centres (BICs).
The Executive Secretary / Chief Executive Officer of the Council, Barr Pius Ukeyima Akutah disclosed this in his goodwill message at a breakfast meeting organized by the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN) themed; Trade Facilitation and President Tinubu’s Economic Agenda: Matters Arising” in Lagos on Wednesday.
The Executive Secretary, Pius Akutah, who was represented by an assistant director, Consumer Affairs, Mrs Ogbonnaya Austina informed that four BICs have been established at:
* Seme-Krake border between Nigeria and Benin Republic
* Jibia — Marradi border between Nigeria and Niger
* Mfum-Ekot border between Nigeria and Cameroon
* Illela-Bimin Koni border between Nigeria and Niger
He said: “The NSC has spearheaded and concluded establishment of Inland ports in Funtua, Kano and Kaduna and these Inland ports are already in use serving as ports of origin and destination. Importers and exporters in these areas do not need to come to Apapa Port to do business anymore.
"We now have these centres at the Seme Border, Niger and Cameroun and we are building two more with one at Idiroko border with the Republic of Benin. The Shippers Council will continue to partner with importers and exporters to keep improving on trade facilitation in Nigeria.”
According to the ES, "this is being done in collaboration with United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and Borderless Alliance (BA).
Speaking on the theme of the meeting, the NSC boss said, “There is no doubt that this topic was carefully chosen to align with the Federal Government Renewed Hope Agenda to facilitate trade and bring prosperity to Nigerians.
“The administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR laid down 8-Point Agenda to revamp Nigeria economy which is tagged ‘Renewed Hope’. The President’s 8-Point Agenda are: Reform the economy to deliver sustained inclusive growth; Strengthen national security for peace and prosperity; Boost agriculture to achieve food security; Unlock energy and natural resources for sustainable development; Enhance infrastructure and transportation as enablers of growth; Focus on education, health and social investment as essential pillars of development; Improve governance, and fight corruption to ensure that economic growth is not endangered by corrupt practices.
“There is no doubt from the inception of the administration that the President meant business in the various sectors of the economy.
Looking at the Maritime and Transport sectors, the President unbundled the Federal Ministry of Transportation into two ministries namely: the Ministry of Transportation and the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy. “This is for effective service delivery and expansion of the revenue base of the economy".
In his welcome address, Mr. Godfrey Bivbere, President of MARAN, highlighted the significance of the breakfast meeting’s theme and the need for honest appraisals of President Tinubu’s economic agenda in relation to trade facilitation.
“Port inefficiency is a factor in trade facilitation,” Bivbere remarked. “The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) in 2023 reported that the Nigerian maritime sector is in crisis, with the country ranked near the bottom of the World Bank Ease of Doing Business indicators. MARAN found it disturbing that Togo topped the subregion in areas of modernization, efficient port trade cost, and vessels turnaround time.”
Bivbere emphasized the importance of addressing the inefficiencies in Nigeria’s ports, which often lead to cargo being diverted to neighboring ports with more efficient services. He called for a balanced approach to the administration’s policy direction, cautioning against disruptive short-term measures that could destabilize the fiscal and macroeconomic system.
“MARAN found it disturbing that Togo topped the subregion in areas of modernization, efficient port trade cost, and vessels turnaround time.”
The meeting, which was chaired by Comrade Moses Fadipe Olayemi, the founder and CEO of Skynet Trueway International Ltd was well attended by maritime stakeholder.
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