131
By Tracy Moses
The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has stepped up efforts to move export operations closer to producers in the hinterland, targeting faster cargo processing, reduced logistics bottlenecks and increased foreign exchange inflows from non-oil exports.
The NPA Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Dr Abubakar Dantsoho, disclosed this at the NPA Special Day during the 21st Abuja International Trade Fair, organised by the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI).
Dantsoho said the authority was strengthening port infrastructure and extending maritime logistics into the hinterland to enable businesses outside the coastal areas to connect more efficiently with international markets.
He said Nigeria’s economic resilience could no longer depend largely on imports and oil revenues, stressing that expanding non-oil exports and integrating businesses across the country into global value chains were critical to sustainable economic growth.
According to him, efficient infrastructure, predictable fiscal frameworks and seamless supply chains were essential to creating a resilient trading environment and improving the competitiveness of Nigerian businesses.
Dantsoho said the Federal Government’s recent move to streamline responsibilities surrounding Inland Dry Ports would help extend maritime logistics and cargo-handling services deeper into the country.
The development comes against the backdrop of recent reforms in the maritime sector aimed at clarifying the respective responsibilities of the NPA and the Nigerian Ports Economic Regulatory Agency (NPERA) over inland dry ports. The two agencies have also moved to strengthen collaboration and eliminate jurisdictional clashes during the transition.
Dantsoho said the development would particularly benefit exporters in northern and central Nigeria, including Abuja, by reducing the need to transport raw commodities to coastal ports before completing port clearance and documentation.
He said, “By bringing Inland Dry Ports under the operational purview of the NPA, exporters in northern and central Nigeria, including right here in Abuja, no longer need to move raw commodities to coastal ports before undergoing port clearance and documentation.”
The NPA boss said the authority had also introduced targeted interventions to address bottlenecks confronting non-oil exporters, including the operationalisation of dedicated Export Processing Terminals.
According to him, the terminals provide one-stop facilities where sorting, packaging, quality certification and customs documentation can be completed before export cargo is moved to port terminals.
The NPA has described the Export Processing Terminals as part of its broader effort to simplify export procedures and integrate producers in the hinterland into global supply chains. The terminals are designed to facilitate activities including cargo consolidation, packaging, documentation and certification, while their integration with port operations is intended to improve cargo evacuation and turnaround time.
Dantsoho said the measures were supporting the growth of non-oil exports, particularly agricultural commodities and solid minerals, while helping Nigerian producers meet international delivery schedules.
He said streamlined export channels would enhance foreign buyers’ confidence in Nigerian products and increase foreign exchange inflows into the domestic economy.
The NPA chief executive therefore urged businesses in agriculture, manufacturing, processing and solid minerals to take advantage of the emerging export infrastructure and expand their presence in international markets.
“To our prospective businessmen and entrepreneurs, now is the time to embrace export trade,” he said.
Dantsoho said the integration of Inland Dry Ports with seaport operations would make exporting from different parts of Nigeria more accessible and commercially viable.
He assured exporters that the NPA remained committed to providing efficient port services and extending maritime logistics to different regions of the country.
He said the authority’s objective was to create a trade-enabling environment where exporters, regardless of their size or location, could access reliable logistics support and compete more effectively in global markets.
The NPA boss said a resilient Nigerian economy depended on a thriving trade ecosystem, adding that the authority would continue to support initiatives aimed at strengthening the country’s position in international trade.
Also speaking, the Director-General of the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Agabaidu Jideani, called for stronger collaboration with the NPA to facilitate trade, unlock investment opportunities and strengthen the link between Nigeria’s maritime sector and the wider business community.
Jideani made the call at the NPA Day organised on the sidelines of the 21st Abuja International Trade Fair in Abuja.
He said closer engagement between the NPA and the organised private sector was critical to improving the ease of doing business, strengthening supply chains and enhancing Nigeria’s participation in domestic, regional and international trade.
“The efficiency, accessibility and competitiveness of Nigeria’s ports have direct implications for importers, exporters, manufacturers, distributors, logistics operators, retailers and numerous other businesses across our sectoral groups,” he said.
According to him, ACCI was particularly interested in strengthening the connection between businesses in the Federal Capital Territory and the wider national and international trade ecosystem.
He said the Chamber could provide a structured platform for businesses to share their practical experiences with the NPA, while the authority could use such platforms to enlighten the business community on port operations, trade facilitation initiatives, procedures and opportunities within the maritime sector.
“We therefore commend the Nigerian Ports Authority for participating in this year’s Abuja International Trade Fair and for using the NPA Day to engage directly with the organised private sector,” Jideani said.
“We see this participation not merely as an exhibition opportunity, but as an important platform for dialogue, stakeholder engagement and partnership.”
Jideani said ACCI was ready to deepen its engagement with the NPA through policy dialogues, business forums, sensitisation programmes, capacity-building initiatives and other mutually beneficial engagements.
He said the partnership was particularly important as businesses continued to seek improved market access, stronger supply chains and a more conducive environment for trade and investment.
Jideani noted that the Abuja International Trade Fair, held under the theme, “Resilience: Trade, Taxation and the Economy,” provided an appropriate platform for strengthening interaction among businesses, government agencies, investors, financial institutions, diplomatic missions and development partners.
He said the AITF remained a practical expression of the Chamber’s mandate to promote trade, investment and sustainable economic development.
“The AITF is a practical expression of this mandate. It brings together businesses, investors, government agencies, diplomatic missions, financial institutions, development partners and other stakeholders to showcase products and services, establish business connections, explore markets and discuss issues affecting the economy,” he said.
Jideani added that stronger collaboration between institutions such as the NPA and the organised private sector was essential to improving Nigeria’s trading environment.
“As we celebrate the 21st edition under the theme ‘Resilience, Trade, Taxation and the Economy,’ we recognise that stronger collaboration between institutions such as the NPA and the organised private sector is essential to improving the ease of doing business, strengthening supply chains and enhancing Nigeria’s participation in domestic, regional and international trade,” he said.
He commended the NPA for identifying with the 21st AITF, describing its participation as an opportunity to deepen understanding and promote dialogue between the maritime sector and the broader business community.
Jideani said ACCI looked forward to building an even stronger and sustained relationship with the NPA that would support businesses, facilitate trade and create new economic opportunities.
“We look forward to building an even stronger and more sustained partnership that will support businesses, facilitate trade, create opportunities, and contribute to the growth and competitiveness of the Nigerian economy,” he said.
pointblanknews.com