Trade Facilitation : Prince Shittu At 70 Calls For Improve Cargo Turnaround Time

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The immediate past National President of Association of Nigerian License Customs Agents (ANLCA), Prince Olayiwola Shittu,   has called on the federal government to automate the Nigerian ports so as to achieve efficiency and Improved Cargo Turnaround Time.

Prince Shittu made this call on Thursday during his 70th birthday celebration in Lagos.
He urge the Nigerian government and appropriate agencies in the maritime sector to follow the footsteps of other countries that have implemented the system successfully to enable swift movement of goods and services. 
He hinted that the implementation of a National Single Window will significantly improve cargo turnaround time at our ports, promote efficiency and transparency, and enhance Nigerian ports’ competitiveness in the West African region.

According to Shittu, most of the challenges stifling trade facilitation and compounding cargo clearance in Nigerian ports today are as a result of  lack of  single window portal.

“I stand to be corrected, when I say that most of the challenges stifling trade facilitation and compounding the cargo clearing process in Nigeria stem from the absence of a National Single Window platform to streamline processes and enhance efficiency.
“It is also appalling that among our neighbours in the West and Central Africa region, Nigeria is one of the few countries that do not operate the platform.
“When Single Window was established at the Cotonou Port, it reduced cargo delivery time  from 40 days to less than 10 days.
” It increased government revenue by more than 39 percent. “In terms of truck transit down to port, they gained 23 percent of the time.
“Therefore, the implementation of a National Single Window will significantly improve cargo turn-around time at our ports, promote efficiency and transparency, and enhance Nigerian ports’ competitiveness in the West African region.
 ” In addition, the continuous delay by the Nigeria Customs Service to procure and install scanners at the ports also has negative implications for the Presidential Ease of Doing Business initiative and efforts aimed at improving efficiency at port operations” he quipped.

Shittu however advocates reforms that would engender 24- hour cargo clearance to avoid losing cargoes to neighbouring countries.“Reform measures that will promote 24-hour port operations must be formulated and implemented by all government agencies involved in the cargo evacuation process.

“For this to happen, cargo examination which is presently being conducted 100 percent manually due to non-functional scanners must be automated. I am a strong advocate of allowing the terminal operators procure and install scanners as they are better suited to ensure the efficient management of the facilities.
“According to a 2018 report by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the cargo dwell time exceeds 20 days in average for most ports in Africa, particularly in Nigeria, which makes our ports some of the most time-inefficient ports in the world.
“This brings an added burden on business when compared to other regions in the world, as businesses relying on timely shipments are less likely to develop in such an environment, and local importers need to integrate higher storage and inventory costs.
“I have said this before and I will repeat it, government should engage the terminal operators and work out a contract for them to provide and maintain scanners and pass on the result into a secure server accessible to Customs and other agencies” he stated.
On the issue of gridlocks on Port Access Roads, the maritime guru said, “I wish I could avoid this topic but what is a discussion about Nigerian ports without a mention of the state of port access roads. Without exception, all port access roads leading to Nigeria’s busiest ports around the country are in a sorry state. It is as simple as that.
 “Instances, where container trucks have tipped over as a result of the bad roads, have become commonplace, while the human, economic and social implications of the failed roads are best left unimagined.  
“I can also state arguably that the Presidential Task Team on Decongestion of Apapa port roads has not been very successful in achieving its mandate. The access roads to Nigerian ports have been overwhelmed by population growth and stagnancy in upgrading port systems, structures, and infrastructure built over two decades ago. 
“I will lend my voice to the clamour for the establishment of an automated Truck Call-Up System and urge the Federal Government to adopt a pragmatic approach to the total implementation of the proposed intermodal transportation system to ease evacuation of cargo from the ports, and also to pay special attention on water cargo transportation by barges.
“I also support efforts by the Nigerian Shippers’ Council to develop a partnership with the World Bank aimed at finding a sustainable solution to the persistent traffic caused by bad roads and congestion in Lagos, by introducing a modern traffic management system” he added.

Speaking on the Deep Seaport projects in Nigeria, he said that laying too much emphasis on establishment of deep seaports across Nigeria has the potential to impede capacity growth of the nation’s export.
He advised government to prioritize the development of Nigeria’s export base, and ensure that only economically viable deep seaports are allowed to proceed to completion. “At a time in our history when resources are scarce, we will be shooting ourselves in the foot if the establishment of superstructures such as deep seaports is determined by political affiliations or compensation. That era has gone forever”
On border Closure, prince Shittu hinted thatMany Nigerians have expressed their displeasure at the border closure exercise that has lasted for over a year now. He however acknowledge the difficulties it brings and think it is a necessity due to the large scale economic sabotage that the country have been exposed to. Adding that the neighbouring countries have flagrantly violated the principles of the ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme (ETLS) and in the process exposed Nigerians to the influx of dangerous substandard goods, small weapons and ammunition, drugs and human trafficking. 
“In the last one year, the border closure has restored some sanity but it is also important that the government provides a pragmatic framework for their reopening in view of trade and multilateral agreements entered into with other countries. We must also lay emphasis on security and interagency synergy to ensure that the gains recorded in the last year are not immediately eroded” he said.

Meanwhile, the erudite customs broker was celebrated by his media friends in a low-key event in Lagos  to show appreciation to a man  widely regarded in the industry as a philanthropist, humanist and selfless leader who has touched so many lives in the course of his profession.

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