Logistics entrepreneurs urge FG to improve business environment

Entrepreneurs in the logistics and transport sector of the economy have called on the federal government to improve business environment in order to attract both local and Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs) into the country.

Ibrahim Jibril, president of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) Nigeria, explained that to enhance growth recovery and achieve sustainable development, better ease of doing business environment was inevitable.

Jibril stated this during the 2nd edition of 2018 Multimodal West Africa organised by Clarion Events West Africa tagged, ‘Enhancing growth recovery through efficient logistics and transport’.

“A hassle free and seamless transportation system and movement of goods and services from one end of the country to another through multimodal transportation will bring about the development and economic restoration that Nigeria seeks, not neglecting the effect it will also have on the productivity of other sectors,” he said.

He pointed out that some of the biggest challenges faced in the industry were human capacity development, empowerment, continuity, infrastructure and the ease of doing business, stressing the need to address these issues.

He said that the theme of the event was timely for the development and growth of modern logistics and innovative supply chain solutions at a time Nigeria and the African community at large were tilting towards growth recovery and sustainable development.

“In this regard, it will not be out of place to say that the logistics and transport sector is a very crucial tool to its success. We believe that this event will, in time, transform the industry and identify limitless commercial opportunities in logistics and transportation,” he added.

Also speaking at the event, Russell Hughes, commercial director, Clarion Events West Africa, pointed out that the objective of Multimodal West Africa was to provide an annual platform where importers and exporters could meet with freight forwarders, shipping lines, clearing agents, ports and terminals as well as government representatives in the region to find the most cost-effective ways to move their cargo, and learn about the new port developments in transport and logistics sector in the region.

He said in light of Nigeria’s capital import growth due to infrastructure projects and raw materials export through agricultural produce and solid minerals, Clarion Events resolved to deliver the Multimodal trade fair to the West African region.

The three-day exhibition had almost 50 international and local exhibitors, with visitors from logistics, manufacturing, retail, agribusiness, chemical, automotive, electronics, Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) and the like.

Angel James