ANLCA Advices Federal Government To Make Our Seaport Look And Compete With International Ports

LUCKY LAWAL

The President of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Custom Agents (ANLCA) Mr. Tony Iju Nwabunike, has advice the Federal Government of Nigeria to make her sea port, land borders and airports look and compete with other international ports.

He said this on Tuesday at the AMJON Press Secretariat during a round table meeting with the Association of Maritime Journalist and other stakeholders to discuss ANLCA activities, engagement with Federal Government and some agencies geared towards the development of the maritime sector. 

Nwabunike, who disclosed his dissatisfaction concerning the state of the Nigeria port and its operations which has not made easy the activities and help the ease of doing business when compare to other smaller countries surrounding Nigeria, has called on the Federal Government to put the right set of people at the helm of affairs at the port and not political appointees. 

According to him, accessing port in Ghana, truck operators must have their biometrics captured and with a thumbprint the gate automatically opens for them but this is the opposite in Nigeria which makes the Custom broker to wonder if Nigeria can achieve the status of automation that Ghana and other neighbouring countries like Cote D’lvoire has accomplished.
The ANLCA President also said the problem with Nigeria lies with the Government as it speaks more and does less.

He said, “I think it’s achievable but a whole lot of work has to be done just like we have started to do. We make them to know the problem and areas we have in relation with other countries”.

Taking about the AFCFTA, the ANCLA President said, “Nigeria is not prepared compared to other preparation by Morocco, Algeria, South Africa and Egypt”.  On AFCFTA using ECOWAS trade liberalization he said, “In the table of 1-15 in the area of modernization of port, Nigeria is nowhere to be found in the first five. It is something we need to be brainstorming with the Federal Government and let them know it is time we put our house in order and make our ports like other international ports. Not only our seaports but our land borders and airports”.

According to him, even if you go to Lome port, though it is a small port, it is very decent; it is all about human beings and government policies. I think we can achieve it if we are very serious about it.