The Association of West African Exporters and Maritime Professionals has urged the Nigerian Ports Authority to review the cost framework of its Export Processing Terminals to promote a more competitive export environment.
Speaking at the association’s end-of-year summit in Lagos, AWAEMAP President Olubunmi Olumekun emphasized the need for a cost-effective pricing model at the terminals.
He noted that such adjustments are essential as Nigeria strives to solidify its standing in global trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area.
Olumekun acknowledged the value EPTs bring to exporters but stressed that certain pricing concerns remain unresolved.
“We are partners in progress with NPA, and we welcome the introduction of EPTs, as they bring added value to our businesses. However, we still have some reservations that need to be addressed for this policy to be truly sustainable. The cost structure needs to be revisited,” he said.
He further underscored the importance of aligning terminal charges with services rendered.
“If we are being charged for services, the costs must directly correspond to the services rendered. There are several charges at the terminals that are not attached to specific services, and this is where we have an issue. Pricing must be adjusted to reflect the reality of today’s competitive market,” he added.
The AWAEMAP president also highlighted how Nigeria’s high terminal charges are putting the country at a disadvantage compared to other African nations.
“The pricing structure must be cost-effective. The high charges at the EPTs are a deterrent for many exporters, and this needs to be addressed urgently,” Olumekun said.
He called on the government to adopt a forward-thinking approach to enhance Nigeria’s export growth.
“The future of Nigeria’s economy lies in expanding this sector. This is the vision of AWAEMAP: to create a thriving non-oil export economy, one that will be sustainable and driven by innovation,” he stated.
Olumekun noted that AfCFTA offers immense opportunities for Nigeria’s non-oil export sector, especially in agriculture. However, he emphasized that Nigeria’s export sector must become more competitive to capitalize fully on these opportunities.
“That includes making sure that the cost of processing these exports is not prohibitively high,” he added.
In response, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, Managing Director of the NPA, represented by Dr. Charles Okaga, NPA’s General Manager of Marine and Operations, acknowledged the historical challenges exporters faced due to weak regulatory frameworks
. He assured stakeholders of significant improvements in recent years.
“NPA recognises the challenges Nigerian exporters have faced, particularly in terms of weak regulation. But I can assure you that we have made significant strides in improving the regulatory environment,” Dantsoho said.
He highlighted the role of ETPs and transit parks in alleviating some logistics hurdles and reiterated NPA’s commitment to an efficient export process.
“The improvements we have made in export logistics have already begun to show positive results, and we are committed to ensuring that the processes are further streamlined to better serve Nigerian exporters,” he said.
Additionally, the Customs Area Controller of the Lilypond Command assured exporters of the Nigeria Customs Service’s commitment to supporting non-oil exports.
“The NCS understands the vital role exports play in the country’s economy. We are committed to facilitating the growth of exports and will continue to support initiatives that enhance the efficiency of Nigeria’s export processes,” he stated.
He called for stronger collaboration among stakeholders to ensure sustainable growth in Nigeria’s export sector.
“We must work together, as stakeholders, to create an enabling environment for the growth of exports,” he stressed.
