‘Trade facilitation, hallmark of AfCFTA’
The Chairman, seaport Terminal Operation Association Of Nigeria (STOAN) princess Vicky Haastrup has said that for Nigeria to derive full benefits from the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement (AfCFTA), it must redefine its posture towards inter-regional trade and address inherent and systematic debilitating factors that hamper trade.
Haastrup, speaking during a panel session titled, “Trade Facilitation –Nigeria Agenda for AfCFTA”, at the Nigeria International Maritime summit (NIMS) said trade facilitation depends on port productivity /efficiency /customs processes, the regulatory environment and the deployment of e-business.
The STOAN boss said since after the 2006 port reforms : marine service that are being provided by the Nigerian Port Authority [NPA] and cargo handling services that are provided by terminal operators are top notch.
“These services can compete with port services provided in other part of the word, “she said.
According to her, despite the efficiency of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and Port terminal operators, the major challenges confronting the system and by extension, Nigeria’s trade facilitation drive result from manual customs processes, overregulation and poor transportation /logistics infrastructure.
“We have a situation where people must visit the port physically to do their customs documentation and cargo examination before they can take delivery of their consignments. This is not inefficient; The Nigerian Custom Service should do everything possible to install functional scanners at the port to reduce the high rate of physical examination of cargoes and to reduce human contacts.
“I am aware that customs recently deployed in scanner each to Apapa, Tin can and one ports. This is a good development but a lot more scanners will need to be acquired considering the volume of cargoes at those ports and also to cover other ports locations and border posts. The deployment and use of scanners for cargo examination will reduce human contact, reduce arbitruness and cut down on cargo dwell time.
“In addition to acquiring scanners, Customs should use technology to drive its processes. It is time to actualize the e-Customs project, so that consignees can do their documentation online and make necessary payments to customs and others government agencies without having to physically visit the port.
“One wonders what has happened to the much talked about National “single Window”.
“Consignees are made to contend with several government agencies while processing the clearance of their cargoes at the port. Multiple port charges imposed by these agencies are also a major hindrances to trade,” she added.
“Also, corruption among government officials in and around the port is a pervasive problem. Corruption discourages trade because it causes traders to pay higher fees on their goods before final clearance. This results in higher priced goods and commodities in the market, she lamented”, she further stated.
