Abdusalam, Sarumi Premise agenda to boost export

                                                     
Concerned statesmen and port administrators have canvassed the need for a broad approach in Africa’s pursuit and development of export-based platforms, as a stronger approach towards boosting the African nations’ economies.

Former Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Chief Adebayo Sarumi ,who made the remark in Lagos, recently, expressed genuine concern over the design of Nigerian ports, noting that because they were initially not designed to support export, there was now a need for pattern reversal, especially now the awareness on exports had hit the economy.

“Our ports have been designed for imports only, without consideration for export, which is what the economy needs for growth Our ports are designed to receive other peoples’ cargoes and not designed to take out Nigerian cargo.The time has come for Nigeria to be outward-looking. We have the inward looking already.I know there are processes for trade and possibly, the first thing to do is import -substitution.Then, when your factory is able to produce well enough for local consumption and your farms are able to give food security, you can begin to export,” the High Chief posited, advising Africa, particularly, Nigeria to learn from Turkey’s experience in order to grow export trade.

Also, in his submission, the Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Mr Hassan Bello, expressed concern that the continent lacked the necessary export link, culminating in the fact that some export items, had to get to Spain first before going to other African countries.

“For every container that comes, it leaves here empty.We have laden containers coming into Nigeria, but transported back empty and this affects almost everything, including the cost of shipping.
It is very important to diversify. It is necessary to do it and the way to do it is that our economy must not be import-dependent”, Bello stated, adding that his organization would work towards ensuring the country develops its export base, and ensure the needed boost for the economy to thrive..

Hassan Bello also counseled the private sector to keep working on surmounting the challenges of ship ownership, positing that Nigeria would only become truly a maritime nation, when ships were owned by indigenous owners, to help reduce the cost of freight