The Nigerian minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed says Nigerian ports are losing attraction because of congestion, as she announces plans to decongest them to appeal more to importers.
Dr Zainab Ahmed made the announcement while giving account of the performance of the 2022 budget and the ministry’s 2023 Budget Proposal Defense at the House of Representatives, in Abuja.
She lamented that most importers divert their businesses to Ghana where they say there is less congestion.
To address this, Dr Ahmed stated that the ministry of Finance and the Nigerian Ports Authority are working together to decongest the ports across the country.
“A lot of importers prefer to go to our neighbors. It’s a very big problem. The rail line from Lagos to Abuja is also being expanded to Apapa Port. We have some very large scanners located in three places. Our assessment is that it will help fasten the clearing process. The ports authority on their own is trying to reorganise the ports for proper efficiency,” Mrs Ahmed said.
She noted that the combined effort would make Nigerian ports more attractive and boost business activities.
Also, on the issue of food shortage and rising food crisis, the minister said the government has inaugurated a committee, aimed at providing support for Nigerians.
“President Muhammadu Buhari has authorised the National Food Security Council to provide support through the release of stock from the strategic food reserves as well as provide inputs in fertilizer production. The committee will be meeting again in the next couple of days to provide recommendations,” she said.
She said that food prices were going up due to the high cost of diesel, adding the Ukraine-Russia war has also contributed to the rising global inflation which Nigeria is also experiencing.
The Minister said the cost of transportation contributed to the skyrocketing prices of foodstuff Nigerians are experiencing.
“One of the pockets of inflation is food inflation. And because of the high cost of diesel, we find this showing up in food prices,” she said.
