Shippers Council Partners with AfCFTA to Enhance Trade, Economic Development
Shiktra Shalangwa
The Nigerian Shippers Council, NSC, is partnering with the Africa Continental Free Trade Area, AfCFTA, for efficient trade and economic growth and development of Nigeria.
The Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers Council, Akutah Pius Ukeyima who was on a courtesy visit to the Coordinator AfCFTA, Olusegun Awolowo said the current administration of President Bola Tinubu is focused on improving trade to develop the Country’s economy hence the reason for setting up of the Marine and Blue Economy ministry.
Mr Ukeyima said the AfCFTA is a platform needed to address the bottlenecks in the ports which have contributed to issues faced with intra-Trade and inter-trade among African countries.
The ES who highlighted some of the steps taken by the Council to address the bottlenecks said “Borders information centres were set up in some key areas to formalize trade activities that helped the country save 6 billion naira. Also Cargo Defense Fund helps stakeholders with claims and litigations they have in terms of missing containers and other issues.”
He said the Council is also promoting inland dry Ports and in six months another dry port will be commissioned in Borno state to facilitate trade and promote trade on the AfCFTA.
Mr Ukeyima added that “the Council has promoted the establishment of Vehicle Transit Areas to reduce road accidents and ensure safety of cargoes. The council is also setting up guidelines for tariffs and stakeholders standards operating procedure in the sector. We are also looking at automation to reduce human contact and deal with data that is sustainable and verifiable at all times.”
The ES said the Nigerian Shippers Council and AfCFTA will work on reducing illegal trade and engage other stakeholders for trade facilitation.
Earlier, the Coordinator, AfCFTA Olusegun Awolowo commended the NSC for its support during the launch of the Guided Trade Initiative GTI, last month in Lagos.
He also commended the Council for the creation of dedicated export line to enhance trade facilitation and called for continued efforts to further streamline ports operations and reduce bottlenecks for trade efficiency.
Mr Awolowo also said there was need to intensify port sensitisation and awareness on the AfCFTA.
He said together the Shippers Council and AfCFTA will project Nigeria positively in the Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement.
