By Roland Ekama
The Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) has harped on the need for the Federal Government to encourage exportation of non oil produce in a bid to make the Naira compete against foreign currency and to boost international trade.
The transport group lamented that the Nigerian currency is becoming worthless daily, but maintained that the best way of the quagmire befalling the Naira was to promote export of all kind through the seaports and other international frontiers.
Speaking at a one day workshop programme put together by the Nigerian Shippers Council on Friday in Lagos, President of NARTO ,Mr. Yusuf Othman, reiterated that transporters are willing to assist the government in conveyance of export from the hinterland to the seaports , but lamented that the bottleneck within the port corridors was discouraging to access the port terminals for onward shipment.
Othman called on the Nigeria Shippers Council to carry out aggressive campaigns on the need to promote and sensitize shippers for export growth adding that exportation of locally made products, farm produces , natural resources and other cargoes that can boost the nation’s profile in the international market should be encouraged to access the ports .
While canvassing for export priority, he noted that perishable commodities most times are unable to access the port terminals as at the expected duration due to the perennial gridlock along the corridors.
The President noted also that based on the numerous challenges militating against free flow of trucks into the seaports, truck owners are discouraged to convey export due to the man hour loss on the roads.
According to him, the Nigerian currency needs to be competitive otherwise may loose its relevance and means of exchange pointing out the nation’s natural resources should be explored for export to thrive and compete favourably with foreign trade.
“Shippers Council and the government is looking for alternative ways to promote exports but if the level is not conducive then investors will not go into that enterprise .
“There are some shippers who would not want to export through our ports because of some the challenges along the roads, therefore patronise neighbouring ports and that is one disadvantage to our own economy and our currency as well.”
He hinted that the workshop put together by the council was an eye opener for stakeholders who do not understand the role of the economic port regulator in the nation’s shipping industry.
Speaking further the NARTO Chief stressed that” “The future of the maritime industry is very bright and from our perspective as transporters especially, because for so many of us who were not aware the role of the Nigerian Shippers Council in the supervision of Nigerian ports which hitherto we don’t know much about before now.
He also lauded efforts of the Ports Standing Task Team (PSTT) to ensure smooth movements of cargoes into the ports, noting that”We will partner them in this regards and hope to see more trucks moving cargoes for export.”
