NACCIMA flays FG over poor cargo clearance

Worried by poor cargo clearance at Nigerian ports which accounts for continued port congestion and loss of several billions of naira, the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) has blamed the Federal Government for the unwarranted challenges at the ports.

At its just-concluded 54th Annual Conference in Abeokuta, Ogun State, the association condemned the incessant congestion at the ports which, it said, was occasioned by unfavourable government policy. It therefore urged effective action against the anomaly.

Speaking at the conference with the theme ‘Improving Nigeria’s Competitiveness in the Global Market: Panacea for Growth and Development of the Non-Oil Export’, Mohammed Abubakar, NACCIMA president, disclosed that Nigeria lost several billions of naira to port congestion on daily basis and must therefore urgently find a lasting solution to improve the competitiveness of Nigerian ports in the global market. Abubakar, who also decried government’s inability to provide effective transportation infrastructure despite huge spending in that sector, identified the Pre-Arrival Assessment Report (PAAR) issuance and wrong computation, huge demurrage to shipping companies, among others as major challenges causing port congestion, just as he called for Public-Private Partnership (PPP) initiative to tackle the challenges.

“We are still worried that the policy of 24-hour cargo clearance promised by government is yet to become a reality as the issue of cargo congestion has continued unabated at our ports. Indeed, this development does not advance the country’s dream of becoming a preferred trade hub for cargo destination. Hence, we urge government and its agencies to urgently come up with pragmatic and efficient solution using the option of PPP arrangement to address the problem head-on,” Abubakar said.

He also said they had continued to observe that in spite of the enormous spending by government on transportation infrastructure (roads, railway, waterways, and airways) nationwide, the desired positive impact was yet to be felt by the business community and citizens.

“This is because a good number (about 40-50 percent) of federal and state roads are still in deplorable conditions, compounding the already high cost of doing business in the country. To address this problem, we suggest that government should intensify efforts on its collaboration with the private sector through the PPP arrangement to ensure the provision of adequate and reliable transportation infrastructure in the country,” he said.

RAZAQ AYINLA