By Nafisat Shaibu
Maritime stakeholders have identified corruption and logistics bottlenecks as key barriers to Nigeria’s maritime competitiveness under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Speaking as the 2024 Maritime Reporters’ Association of Nigeria (MARAN) Annual Maritime Lecture (MAMAL) which held at The Providence Hotel Ikeja GRA, Lagos, the Publisher of Shipping Position newspaper and former MARAN President, Mr. Sesan Onilemo made these observations.
According to him, for optimal performance of AfCFTA there should be effective discharge of duties by port workers, freight forwarders and government regulatory agencies at ports and borders.
Sesan had moderated the panel session, which was set up to foster dialogue, share insights and address the two papers presented at the lecture by a former acting President of the Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Dr. Kayode Farinto; and the Chief Executive Officer of Le Look Bags, Mrs. Chinwe Ezenwa.
Also speaking on the panel, a Senior Trade Promotion Officer at the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Mrs. Olamide Olatunde, stressed the need for improved compliance and bridging the knowledge gap that may undermine the AfCFTA.
Olamide equally emphasized the need for exporters to comply with global standards on production materials, packaging, labelling and certification and also understand trade agreements to meet global requirements.
In addition, the President, Maritime Security Providers Association of Nigeria (MASPAN) and the Alumni of Maritime of Nigeria (AMANO), Mr. Emmanuel Maiguma, stated that high customs duties on vessel acquisition and operational ineffectiveness at the port gives room for trade inflations and uncompetitiveness.
Maiguwa, therefore, remarked that opportunities for corrupt practices should be streamlined as well as exorbitant custom duties and bureaucratic redtapes placed on vessel acquisition.
Meanwhile, the Rector of Conarina Maritime Academy, Capt. Tony Onaharigho, pointed out that transportation and logistics will be majority constraints to trade and called for robust investigations into the supply chain and shipping via vessels under the AFCFTA.
Adding his voice to the discourse, the Executive Director of Operations at Tantita Security Services, Capt. Waredi Enisuoh, called for an upgrade on production materials and canvassed carbon credits for the growth of the maritime sector.
He equally called for improved maintenance culture and policy on shipments and ships into the ports.
The highpoint of the event was the presentation of laurels to stakeholders who have performed exceedingly in the maritime sector. Some of the beneficiaries include; Custom Area Controller, Tin Can Island Port, Comptroller Dera Nnadi; former President of MARAN and Editor-in-Chief of Shipping Position Daily, Mr. Sesan Onilemo; President of Maritime Security Providers Association of Nigeria (MASPAN), Mr. Emmanuel Maiguwa; among others.
