ABUJA, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- The Nigerian Ports Authority has introduced a broad strategy aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s non-oil exports, built on infrastructure upgrades, streamlined export procedures, and full automation of port operations.
This was disclosed in a statement issued on Sunday, according to the statement, the Managing Director of the NPA, Abubakar Dantsoho, spoke at the 37th Enugu International Trade Fair held recently in Enugu State, noting that the authority is repositioning the country’s port system to link local producers particularly small and medium
scale enterprises to international markets.
Dantsoho emphasized the strategic role of Enugu as a commercial hub for the South-East, pointing out that its location offers significant potential for export growth, especially in agro-allied products.
“The strategic positioning of Enugu as the gateway to the South-Eastern hinterland presents huge opportunities for the expansion of export opportunities, which is the focal point of the Nigerian Ports Authority,” he said.
He also praised the Enugu Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture for consistently maintaining the trade fair as a platform for business development and global trade interaction.
As part of efforts to boost cargo movement and enhance capacity, Dantsoho revealed that the NPA is investing in the rehabilitation of major eastern ports such as Onne, Warri, and Calabar.
The authority is also supporting the development of new deep seaports across the region.
“In addition to our renewed investment in the Eastern Ports infrastructure renewal, we are providing bespoke technical guidance to proponents of deep seaports in a bid to drive vessel and cargo traffic to the Eastern flank on a sustainable frequency,” he said.
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He noted that trade remains a key driver of Nigeria’s economic ambitions, adding that the NPA is focused on eliminating long-standing obstacles that have limited export competitiveness.
A major part of the reform plan is the creation of Export Process Terminals (EPTs), which are intended to simplify and improve export procedures for Nigerian goods.
“As some of us are aware, we established the EPTs to simplify the hitherto burdensome process of exporting Nigerian goods,” Dantsoho said.
He explained that these terminals function as centralized hubs for export activities, helping to cut down delays and inefficiencies.
“The EPTs were conceptualised to serve as a one-stop shop for cargo consolidation, stuffing, documentation, packaging, certification, and onward shipment, thus eliminating the duplications and bureaucratic overlaps that previously rendered Nigerian exports uncompetitive,” Dantsoho stated.
To further improve efficiency and align with the Federal Government’s ease-of-doing-business goals, the NPA is advancing toward full automation of its operations through the National Single Window system.
“To achieve this, we are eliminating human interface, which encourages underhand dealings, by pursuing the full automation of our processes, with the implementation of the NSW,” he said.
He described the NSW as an internationally recognized platform that allows smooth interaction among all stakeholders in the trade value chain.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the NSW is the global best practice connecting all stakeholders in the trade value chain for seamless interaction at the push of a button.”
Dantsoho further stated that the EPTs would be integrated with Domestic Export Warehouses in collaboration with the Nigerian Export Promotion Council and other partners to improve connectivity between ports and inland areas, thereby expanding export opportunities nationwide.
He reassured stakeholders of the NPA’s willingness to collaborate with investors and exporters, encouraging them to utilize the authority’s services and platforms.
“Our doors are always open for partnerships. We have put measures in place to link value creators in the remotest part of the hinterland with the farthest clusters of demand anywhere on the globe,” he said.