The Federal Government, through the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has granted operating licences to export terminals as part of its bid to boost the nation’s foreign exchange (forex) earnings.
NPA’s Managing Director, Mohammed Bello-Koko, disclosed this yesterday during the inauguration of Diamond Star Export Processing Terminal in Ijora.
He said the approval given by the Federal Government has strategically positioned the country to optimise the advantages of the benefits inherent in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Agreement.
He said the government, based on in its bid to eliminate undue delays that leads to rejection of Nigerian exports abroad, granted the approval for the establishment of a new Export Processing Terminal (EPT) in Lagos, the Diamond Star Export Processing Terminal.
“This initiative signposts NPAs’ commitment to the implementation of the National Action Plan on Agro-Export and the Federal Government’s desire to diversify the national economy from oil export to non-oil exports.
“The Authority is by this move positioning to infuse greater efficiency into the logistics surrounding the entry of export boxes into the ports and the eventual loading on sea-going vessels.
“The launch of this and other terminals also strategically positions Nigeria to optimize the advantages of the benefits inherent in the AfCFTA agreement.
“The need for the Export Processing Terminals (EPTs) is underscored by the limitations of current port facilities in the Lagos area which are operating beyond their ‘as built capacity’ for cargo handling.
“The EPTs are therefore holding areas positioned in Lagos and Ogun states to help exporters prepare their arrival at port terminals in-view of the traffic management challenges that are visible in Lagos.
“The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) has served as our technical partners through this journey for which we are truly grateful. We are also currently working to integrate the CBN NXP to the e-call up regime and have progressed on discussion to operationalize the same using the electronic call up as the gateway.
“As we can all see, the Comptroller General, Nigeria Customs Service in response to the request by the Authority has graciously established an Export Command to support the Federal Government efforts in this regard.
“We are also currently working to integrate barge and train movements to complete the circle in collaboration with Nigerian Customs.
“The NPA is not unaware of the existence of export warehouses handling manufactured products. We will work with the NCS export command to bring up seamless modalities that will govern this aspect.
“For our Terminal Operators, Shipping Companies and other stakeholders, you have been fully briefed on the procedure for ensuring success of the Federal Government National Action Plan on Agro – Export development in the country. You have a responsibility to ensure strict compliance in this regard.”
Speaking on behalf of the Comptroller-General, NCS, Zonal Coordinator, Zone A, Adeyanju Aremu said the service has set up an Export Command to ensure that agro-based exports are given utmost attention.
“A Controller, Comptroller Babandede has been posted here to ensure the success of this new facility.
“We at the NCS are confident that the Export Processing Terminals will serve the purpose for which it was established. The motive behind the setting up of the facility is to eradicate delays associated with our export cargoes, and with the team posted here by the Customs headquarters and expected collaboration from stakeholders, we expect this initiative to be a success,” ACG Aremu stated.
The Managing Director of the terminal, Mr. Olatunji Baale said the target “is to ensure quicker delivery of export boxes on vessels to reduce rejection of Nigerian cargoes abroad.
“All the necessary agencies of government are here and with massive and continuous investment from us, we hope to reduce the in-balance in the import-export gap”.
