MULTIPLE charges are levied by various government agencies that have been identified as barriers against nigerian exports that would otherwise earn US$250 billion a year, reports the Lagos Guardian.
Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NC), noted there are 16 sundry charges currently against exports, out of which only five have official receipts, said the report.
Stakeholders, who met at the just concluded Aviation and Cargo Conference and Exhibition (CHINET 21) in Lagos, say these charges represent corrupt practices and discourage Nigerian export growth.
Exporter John Okakpu, CEO of ABX World, said a proper adherence to export market requirements, vis-a-vis local produce potential, has the capacity gain $250 billion in agri export revenue annually.
But Nigeria is not playing in the global exporting space, but merely 'hawking' in bits and pieces, Mr Okakpu said. 'That's why cargo planes are leaving the country empty.'
Mr Okakpu said not only are the charges numerous, they are also too expensive to encourage patronage.
'Besides the multiplication of agencies and regulatory departments at the exit points, the government's fees and taxes are about 90 per cent higher than our nearest competitor,' he said.
NC director general Edem Eyo-Ita said the one-too-many handling charges pose the main constraint to cargo in local aviation.
Mr Eyo-Ita said it was regrettable that only one local airline operates in the freight sub-sector to date, despite emerging opportunities in cargo services in the pandemic.
He said having up to 16 different charges, out of which only five are official, is discouraging and should be tackled by improved collaboration by all stakeholders.
Mr Eyo-Ita added that regulatory support for the growth of air cargo is on the way with the new NC Bill awaiting approval at the National Assembly.
Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC) product development chief William Ezeagu said efforts were at an advanced stage to set up a Domestic Export Warehouse and Aggregate Centre, as a one-stop shop for all non-oil produce.
Mr Ezeagu said the centre would harmonise activities and certification requirements of diverse agencies, as well as ensure quality assurance for seamless export to destinations.
Nigeria Aviation Handling Company managing director Tokunbo Fagbemi said exporters also need to pay attention to packaging for acceptance overseas.
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Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NC), noted there are 16 sundry charges currently against exports, out of which only five have official receipts, said the report.
Stakeholders, who met at the just concluded Aviation and Cargo Conference and Exhibition (CHINET 21) in Lagos, say these charges represent corrupt practices and discourage Nigerian export growth.
Exporter John Okakpu, CEO of ABX World, said a proper adherence to export market requirements, vis-a-vis local produce potential, has the capacity gain $250 billion in agri export revenue annually.
But Nigeria is not playing in the global exporting space, but merely 'hawking' in bits and pieces, Mr Okakpu said. 'That's why cargo planes are leaving the country empty.'
Mr Okakpu said not only are the charges numerous, they are also too expensive to encourage patronage.
'Besides the multiplication of agencies and regulatory departments at the exit points, the government's fees and taxes are about 90 per cent higher than our nearest competitor,' he said.
NC director general Edem Eyo-Ita said the one-too-many handling charges pose the main constraint to cargo in local aviation.
Mr Eyo-Ita said it was regrettable that only one local airline operates in the freight sub-sector to date, despite emerging opportunities in cargo services in the pandemic.
He said having up to 16 different charges, out of which only five are official, is discouraging and should be tackled by improved collaboration by all stakeholders.
Mr Eyo-Ita added that regulatory support for the growth of air cargo is on the way with the new NC Bill awaiting approval at the National Assembly.
Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC) product development chief William Ezeagu said efforts were at an advanced stage to set up a Domestic Export Warehouse and Aggregate Centre, as a one-stop shop for all non-oil produce.
Mr Ezeagu said the centre would harmonise activities and certification requirements of diverse agencies, as well as ensure quality assurance for seamless export to destinations.
Nigeria Aviation Handling Company managing director Tokunbo Fagbemi said exporters also need to pay attention to packaging for acceptance overseas.
SeaNews Turkey
