The Ogun State Government has appealed to the Nigerian Shippers Council to set up a Smart Office within its Ministry of Commerce and Industry Complex in Abeokuta in order to assist importers and exporters in getting direct and easy access to information and training.
The state government has raised alarm that most of the shippers in the South West Zone are not well-informed and that they lack basic knowledge and rudiments of shipping and exportation.
Speaking at a Seminar organised by the Nigerian Shippers Council in Ota, Ogun State yesterday; Commissioner for Commerce and Industry in Ogun State; Otunba Bimbola Ashiru called for partnership between the Shippers Council and the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) for the benefit of shippers in the zone.
Ashiru noted that Ogun State has the highest concentration of industries in Nigeria, saying that the state has not less than 423 companies and thus deserve the presence of the Shippers Council office in the State.
Ashiru who was represented by the Director of Commerce in the ministry; Mr. Kayode Ogunti lamented some challenges faced by shippers in the zone, saying that cargo traffic is mainly land-based, with most goods routed through the Lagos seaports by heavy duty trucks.
He said the shippers are also confronted with cumbersome cargo documentation, limitation of working capital which exposes them to high level of bank loan rates, as well as the unstable exchange rate of the Naira due to policy inconsistencies.
"It is the duty of the Shippers Council to disseminate information, enlighten shippers and receive complaints from aggrieved members and rendering marketing assistance in getting overseas buyers for exportable commodities"
"Most of our shippers are not well-informed, virtually the bulk of the so called shippers are only aware that goods are being sent abroad, but they are unaware of the rudiments, they just jumped on the train"
"The NEPC has opened Abeokuta Smart-Office within the Ministry of Commerce and Industry Complex; this is beneficial to importers and exporters, so I am making a clarion call on the shippers’ council to tow this line", he advised.
Also speaking, Shippers Council’s Director of Inland Transport Services; Mr. Akin Makinde said that most of the stakeholders in the South West Zone are not always forthcoming when the Council calls for enlightenment programmes.
He noted that this attitude is not encouraging, considering the fact that the South West zone is a beehive of commercial activities and also known for a high concentration of industries.
He stressed the need for more Nigerians to venture into manufacturing and export in order to diversify the ailing economy.
Makinde however charged the Ogun State Government to provide an office space for the Council, even as he assured that the Council has noted the complaints of the government and would set up its office in the State Capital in Abeokuta.
Delivering his welcome address earlier, Coordinator of South-West Zone of Shippers Council; Mr. Rotimi Anifowose noted that the seminar was designed to educate stakeholders in Ogun State on the role of the Council as economic regulator.
He said the seminar was also to expose shippers and potential shippers on shipping procedures, cargo documentation and clearance for Nigerian Imports and exporters.
Chairman of the occasion and past President of Ogun State Council of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (OGUNCCIMA) Mr. Bayo Ikujenyo commended the Shippers Council for deeming it fit to hold the seminar in Ogun State.
He said that the Seminar was the third in the series that has so far been organised by the shippers council in Ogun State.
According to him, stakeholders were always yearning for the seminar yearly from the Council. He however advised that the programme should not be held towards the end of the year, noting that most manufacturing companies were already shutting down activities for the year.
Delivering a paper titled; Basic Shipping Procedures, Cargo Documentation and Clearance for Nigerian Imports and Exports" Chief Executive Officer of Multi Mix Academy, Dr. Obiora Madu said that Nigerian lacks export culture and there is need to establish a reputation as a strong exporting country.
He said that exporters are over-taxed in Nigeria, and that they also face an unfriendly foreign exchange policy. He said that many of them equally lack access to funds.
The second paper presentation; Nigerian Shippers Council, the Economic Regulator for Nigerian Seaports, Port Service Support Portal, Complaint Handling Process and Procedures" was delivered by Mr. Moses Fadipe, Assistant Director of Complaint Unit of Shippers Council.
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