By Chinonye Anyatonwu
The Federal Government’s efforts at promoting non-oil exports as part of measures to diversify the economy from its current location mono product status received a major boost as the NigerianPorts Authority NPA, pledges to synergise with private sector operators to achieve this goal.
Speaking at a one-day International Trade Seminar organised by Zenith Bank plc in Lagos, Managing Director of NPA, Mohammed Bello- Koko, reiterated the determination of the authority towards boosting the nation’s non-oil exports through the seaports in order to boost her declining foreign exchange earnings.
This is in reaction to the fluctuations in the international oil and gas market, which are the mainstay of Nigeria’s economy, especially occasioned by the Russian-Ukraine war.
Bello-Koko cited the recent designating of some port areas exclusively for the handling and packaging of non-oil export cargo, especially agricultural produce to avoid unnecessary delays.
He also assured that the NPA is concluding arrangements to designate more seaport terminals across all the port locations in the country as export product packaging and handling areas to bring about the required level of efficiency in the handling and shipment of all export products from Nigeria.
Attendant at the event were the Central Bank Governor, Godwin Emefiele, Chairman of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote and former Executive Secretary/CEO, Nigeria Export Promotion Council NEPC, Segun Awolowo, among several others
