Women Agro-processors urge government to modernize ports management system
Hudu Yakubu, Abuja.
The Women Agro-Processors Agricgen and Exporters Initiative (WAPAGEIN) has appealed to the Federal Government to modernize and transform the nation’s ports management system.
The President of WAPA-GEIN, Esther Adebayo, made the call at the inauguration of the initiative and National Export Centre in Abuja.
“I am of the opinion that the Federal Government should not be decongesting the ports in Nigeria but engage in transforming the ports.
“This must start with cleaning up administrative bottlenecks most of which are unnecessary with multiple government agencies at the port, high transaction cost, or even plain extortion from illegal taxes, which do not go into the coffers of the government.
“Nigeria should rapidly modernize and transform its ports.
“Ports are not there for equipment revenue generation. They should be for facilitating business and exports, and stimulating industrial manufacturing, and competitiveness of local businesses and export,” said Adebayo.
She disclosed that the cost of exporting 100 tons of cargo in Nigeria was 35,000.00 dollars compared to 4,000.00 dollars in Ghana.
“Today the leading ports for West Africa are in Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Togo and Benin Republic. All these countries have modernized their Port management Systems, leaving Nigeria far behind,” she lamented.
She also emphasized the need for the Federal Government to increase the training and employment of extension workers and other supportive services to boost and increase in agricultural production.
“We must unleash the potential of the youths of Nigeria. Today over 75 percent of the population is under the age of 35 years.
“More decisive actions are needed to turn this demographic asset into an economic dividend.
“A young productive, youthful population with access to education, skills, social protection, affordable housing, and medical care will power Nigeria’s economy now and well into the future.
“We must move away from so called youth empowerment programs. The youths do not need hands out. They need investments.
“Agro business is well loaded with millions of jobs creation for the youths,” she noted.
Adebayo urged State Governments to establish farm settlements, clusters of agro producers including women and youths.
She also enjoined the three tiers of government to promote operation “feed yourself” by helping households to access information, and inputs that would encourage them to produce food around their houses to feed their families.
According to her, sustainable household food security is the bedrock of successful export business.
“With sharp focus, relentless execution, fairness, equity, public accountability and transparency, we shall drive for a much better and economically stronger Nigeria,” she added.
Earlier, Dr. Funmilola Daudu, Chairperson, Planning Committee of the event, said the initiative would develop better agricultural and business management practices that would result in improved competitiveness, productivity, income, gross marginal yields for small holder farmers and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises.
Women Agro Processors, Agricgen and Exporters Initiative (WAPAGEIN) is a non-governmental and not-for-profit organization established to promote agric businesses, entrepreneurships, youth and women development careers.
WAPAGEIN has a network of agribusiness marketing professionals from across Nigeria, with chapters located in the six geopolitical zones including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
