FG Examines Port Economic Regulations On Non-Oil Exports

By Ruth Sunday

As part of efforts to ensure continuous growth in non-oil exports, the federal government and trade experts have examined the nation’s port economic regulations and other issues affecting export business.

While the government gave assurances to come up policies to support export trade, it encouraged other port stakeholders to join its collaborative effort to create a regulatory framework that empowers exporters, streamlines processes, and unlocks the full potential of Nigeria’s commodity export sector.

The Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investment, Amb. Nura Rimi, while speaking at a one day stakeholders workshop, organized by the Federal Ministry of Industry Trade and Investment in conjunction with the Nigeria Shippers Council (NSC) on Wednesday, urged all stakeholders to play a role in developing non-oil exports.

At the event themed: “Port Economic Regulation and Its Impact on Shipment of Export Commodities through Nigerian Ports”, Rimi emphasized the pivotal role of Nigerian ports in enhancing the nation’s export efficiency and competitiveness.

Rimi, who was represented by the Director, Commodities and Export department, Ministry of Trade and Investment, Kaura Irimiya, highlighted the vast wealth of exportable commodities in Nigeria, especially agricultural produce.

“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,” he said.

Rimi called for a collaborative effort to create a regulatory framework that empowers exporters, streamlines processes, and unlocks the full potential of Nigeria’s commodity export sector.

According to him, ECCC was created in response to the challenges brought by the Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP), which led to the privatization 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.

He 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 congestion at the ports.

“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 contribute significantly to the non-competitiveness of Nigerian exports in the global market.

On his part, Dr. Obiora Madu stressed the need for Nigeria to have a definite export strategy, address the challenge of cost competitiveness and standards of export items.

He equally observed that the need to ensure availability of skilled workforce involved in the processing of exports to ensure the commodities meet the stipulated global best standards.

“Nigeria is deficient when it comes to infrastructure. This is a key issue for export and the nation has to deal with transport infrastructure, power supply, logistics, among others. It seems nothing is regulated in this country. Warehouses aren’t controlled, trucks aren’t regulated and these issues affect export. Trade policies need to be reviewed frequently,” Madu remarked.

Also speaking, the Director of Consumer Affairs at the NSC, Mr. Glory Onojedo, also echoed these concerns in his address.

He emphasized the need to address challenges related to port access, high cargo handling costs, and other inefficiencies to encourage export.

Onojedo highlighted the workshop’s goal of identifying practical solutions to make Nigerian ports more accessible, cost-efficient, and operationally effective.