The Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, Dr Abubakar Dantsoho, has said that Export Process Terminals, EPTs, were established to simplify the burdensome process of exporting Nigerian goods, as well as to contribute to strengthening the domestic economy via promotion of balance of trade.
He said this at the ‘Special Day’ of NPA at the ongoing Kaduna International Trade Fair, adding that the EPTs were conceptualised to serve as a one-stop-shop for cargo consolidation, stuffing, documentation, packaging, certification and onward shipment through electronic call-up to the ports in quick turnaround time thus eliminating the duplications and bureaucratic overlaps that previously rendered Nigerian exports uncompetitive in the international marketplace.
He said that the EPTs were established to align with the ease of doing business orientation of the federal government.
He said: “EPTs were conceptualized to facilitate Port-Hinterland connectivity and create pathways for Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) to play in the export value chain, the EPTs are to be linked with Domestic Export Warehouses (DEWs) in synergy with the NEPC and relevant partners”.
Meanwhile, exporters under the umbrella of the Association of West African Exporters and Maritime Professionals, AWAEMAP have cried out over the Nigeria Exports Proceed, NXP policy introduced recently by the NPA, describing it as anti trade and delay to shipment of export trade.
The NXP form is a mandatory statutory document which all exporters must complete for the shipment of goods outside the country. The document, which must be completed electronically, is used to declare the details of the export commodity, including the type of goods, quantity, value, and destination.
The exporters raised alarm at an emergency stakeholders meeting held at the Lily Pond Export Processing Terminal of the Nigeria Customs Service in Lagos.
National President of AWAEMAP, Mr. Olubunmi Olumekun, said since the implementation of the new policy, the numbers of export laden containers are on the increase due to their inability to access the port.
He lamented that rather than facilitating trade, the policy has led to a reduction of export trade in the country, even as he suggested that the government should return to the Single Window arrangement as an interim measure.
Olubunmi said: “The delay exporters are going through because of this process that was just introduced by NPA is not promoting trade, it is even letting the trade down and the process is now slow.
“I am trading by tons or by weight not by size or by the containers of what I am doing but I am trading based on my tonnage or volume, which is what international trading is all about.
The NXP we are using as a declaration document is what is involved, it involves the tonnage and then the size of the goods, the quantity of the goods you are exporting, and that is what makes your earning internationally not the containerised.
An exporter, who spoke on behalf of others, Alhaji Nafiu, said that the new policy which was supposed to streamline export processes has worsened the situation and created confusion and financial setbacks for exporters.
He blamed NPA for not paying attention to trade and commerce, saying: “We are urging NPA to take action to resolve the crisis, given that they are responsible for its implementation. We know that NPA alone can discuss the problem with the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC)”.
On his part, Customs Area Controller, Lilypond Export Command, Comptroller Ajibola Odusanya, said NXP is a government policy which the Customs was never against.
He pleaded with the NPA and other government agencies involved to quickly find an interim solution to the situation.
“This emergency meeting is because of the NXP policy being operated by the Nigerian Port Authority through the TTP and the Export Processing Terminals for the movement of export cargoes into the port.
“Customs are here because our motive is to make sure that our distinguished stakeholders are happy with whatever is being deployed that affects their goods. It is when our stakeholders are happy that we are also happy’, he said.
Discover more from starmich blog
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
