By Adaobi Rhema Oguejiofor
The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has facilitated the movement of 150 export laden containers from various Export Processing Terminals (EPTs) in the country to Apapa and Tin-Can Island Ports for export.
This was achieved through improved procedures and collaboration between NPA and the different EPTs around the country. NPA reported that Lilypond EPT accounted for 80 export laden containers daily since the past nine days.
Speaking during a visit to the facility, the Managing Director of NPA, Mohammed Bello-Koko, noted that setting up of the export processing terminals has become a sudden solution on how to quickly process exports into the ports and move it to the vessels.
His words: “In the last two days, we have processed about 300 export containers from the EPT alone – an increase from probably 30 to 40 per cent in the past, but now it is about 60 per cent increase.
“We gave out licenses, which are supposed to bring in exports, sort them, process them, document them and seal the containers and send them straight to the vessel for the voyage.
“This has helped tremendously in increasing the export of Nigerian commodities, especially agro produce. We have seen a tremendous reduction in wastages of agro produce that are mostly perishable.
“Gradually, the exporters that had been exporting through other countries are beginning to bring in their cargo. So, we are going round to ensure that the SOP we put in place is actually working, and where there is need for it to be adjusted, we will do that.
“We have come up with tariff that will be charged by the EPTs, which should not be charged by the terminal operators, and we are ensuring that exporters do not pay double tariffs or charges at any given time.
“That way, we reduce the cost of export of our produce and make them much more competitive.”
The NPA boss also commended the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), saying the Ag. Controller-General, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, immediately acted on needed amendments as relates to the activities of customs in processing exports.
In the words of Bello-Koko, “I will keep working with the Nigeria Customs and other government agencies involved in processing of exports. He has set up a customs desk responsible for exports, the same way we also have an export desk in NPA and other government agencies.
“We are glad to see that Nigeria is able to seamlessly process its exports to make them more competitive, and also arrive at their destination on time.”
He however acknowledged complaints about accessing the ports, stating that they were probably related to bad roads and issues of extortion, among others, each of which the agency has taken up and addressed.
According to him, “we have had situations where the exporters are bringing their cargoes without the requisite documentation being complete, and that was the essence of the sensitization that we have been having, to let them know that these are the documents needed before you bring your exports to EPT or into the ports. All the documents must be in place.
“Also, we have worked with the Central Bank of Nigeria, Nigeria Customs, NAFDAC and every other government agency to ensure that exporters understand what is required of them. That way, there will be no delay.
“There are times that the truck call-up system has had glitches, but we have seen a tremendous improvement in terms of processing exports. We are giving priority to exports.
“I am not saying imports are not important, but the country needs to improve on export commodities and we are working to give all the necessary support to government initiative to increase in exports.”
On his part, the Managing Director, Diamond Star Port and Terminal, Olatunji Baale, who operates the Lilypond EPT, disclosed that in the last nine days of the firm’s kick off, it has processed over 300 export boxes and exited them into the ports without any challenge.
Baale further assured that “we look forward to doing much more. If we are doing that at the present, we can double or triple the numbers weekly.”