Determined to make international trade easier , the Nigerian Shippers Council(NSC) is partnering with the Nigerian Agricultural Quarantine Service(NAQS), on the need to facilitate international trade.
Speaking yesterday when members of NAQS, led by their Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Vincent Isegbe paid a courtesy visit to Shippers Council in Lagos, the Executive Secretary of NSC, Hassan Bello, said that the essence of the meeting is to discuss issues concerning exports and imports of good in Nigeria.
He also said that the two associations felt that to ensure trade facilitation, there is need for a public discussion to hear from the stakeholders.
"We have received observations and comments from shippers, importers and exporters concerning the services of NAQS, so we decided to bring everybody together for a talk. We feel there is miscommunication somewhere and there is need for everyone to come together and dialogue"
According to him, Shippers Council holds the diversification agenda of the government very high.
"In the ease of doing business agenda by the government, all the agencies are now servants and are there to attend to people. We are of the opinion of sensitising stakeholders about that. There are a lot of infringement in exportation and importation and there will be more meeting like this".
In his speech, Mr. Vincent Isegbe, said that there is nothing as meaningful as having a discussion like this even as he maintained that discussion will help you clear the air where you are in doubt.
Speaking further he said that the whole essence of their gathering is to have a common goal which is carrying commodities in and out of the country.
He expresses the needed for Nigeria to key into the international trade policies and that will achieved.
"For Nigeria to abide to the international best practices in trade, there must someone to package the goods, export it and there all must be someone to receive the exported goods that is why government have agencies that will handle the interface. There are also agencies that will come in when the interface have issues. We are working for the collective enhancement of trade in Nigeria and we are duty based to protect the interest of the country"
Mr. Isegbe also said that palletised commodities irrespective of what I inside, are supposed to pass through the agencies for proper scrutiny.
He alao advised importers to ensure they obtain import permit for any plant or animal products that wants to come into the country.
"Whether you are importing or exporting goods, there is need for it to pass through our agencies. Our importers should also ensure that they use good containers to bring in goods into the country instead of using rusted containers. Our charges are minimal, for 40ft container we charge N2,000" he concluded.
Discussion about this post