From L-R, Sylvanus Ekpo, Emeka Enwelum and Ray Ugochukwu
Story by Dili Utomi.
The Maritime Journalists Association of Nigeria (MAJAN) has on Thursday the 18th organised a roundtable discussion titled: The significance of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) and the preparedness of critical maritime stakeholders to key into this initiative.
The round table chat was opened by the president of MAJAN, Mr. Raymond Ugochukwu who asked participants to critically examine the inherent benefits in the Agreement and highlight same.
On his part, the managing director of Mac Manuel Global Logistics Limited and the vice president of the National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents (NCMDLCA), Mr. Emeka Enwelum thanked MAJAN rather profusely for coming up with the idea of the roundtable discussion and especially the topic of discussion. He noted that the Licensed Customs Agents are not really prepared for the take off of the Agreement. He said that ‘the Nigerian authorities have not started on a right footing by educating the populace and creating massive awareness to highlight the inherent benefits of the Agreement’ .
Mr. Emeka Enwelum, vice president, NCMDLCA.
Mr Enwelum said that the government should have liaised with all stakeholders in the maritime sector before signing the agreement as we have the biggest market in Africa, he noted that we should have looked at the AfCFTA from the position of strength. He lamented that the government of Nigeria closed our land borders for a long while and later engaged in preferential treatment by selecting a few exporters whose goods were allowed across our borders noting that this was against the tenet of the ECOWAS liberalization scheme that Nigeria is already a part of. He advised that the ‘the government should be able to do what it takes for stakeholders and the generality of Nigerians to take advantage and key into the AfCFTA’. Mr. Enwelum warned that on our part as a nation, we should do the proper things in order not to exclude ourselves from the benefits of the Agreement.
Mr. Francis Omotosho, Registrar NAGAFF.
On his part, the Guest Lecturer, who is the Registrar, NAGAFF Academy, Forwarder Francis Omotosho, informed: “Regional trade agreements vary depending on the level of commitment and arrangement among member countries. It comes with internal rules that member countries must follow.
“These include removal of trade barriers; free movement of goods and services across the region; Customs Union of member countries must reduce trade barriers to enhance seamless cargo clearance; free import and export of resources must be allowed; member countries have to adopt a set of economic policies and use of one currency; regional integration must be encouraged. Investors who want to put money in developing countries must be protected against political risk”.
He added : “AfCFTA has economic benefits, which include increase in foreign direct investments (FDI) and reduction in trade tariff. The agreement helps to remove trade barriers. It boosts economic growth, creates jobs and paves the way for market
expansion.
“AfCFTA is a flagship project of African Union Agenda 2063, a blueprint for attaining inclusive and sustainable growth.
On 20th December, 2019, in Abuja, President Muhammadu Buhari inaugurated the National Action Committee for Implementation of AfCFTA. The Federal Executive Council ratified Nigeria’s membership of AfCFTA on November 11, 2020 and it started in January 2021 as scheduled.
According to Omotosho, “The objectives are to create a single continental market for Made in African goods and services, with free movement of business persons and investments, paving the way for establishment of Continental Customs Union.
The president of MAJAN noted that trade in Africa is worth over $3billion annually and that this should be exploited by stakeholders. He said that this is a chance for manufacturers to up the ante as the Agreement would mean a reduction in tariffs and the harmonisation of rates.
Participants at the roundtable chat.
Generally, participants agreed that the AfCFTA is a good thing for Africans, but that like every new innovation, it may come with a few teething problems that will be resolved over time and so should be embraced by all as it is of immense benefits to the Continent.
At the end of the roundtable discussion and exhaustive deliberation, the following were recommended:
To benefit equitably, the government, maritime stakeholders and freight forwarders need to understand the concept of digital Payments System;
access to information communication technology facilities, space satellite hosting for adequate internet connections;adequate training and re-training;access to capital/loan,financial empowerment;access to multimodal transport system;provision of adequate security measures;
provision of infrastructure;
paperless port operation processes;seamless cargo clearance,24 hours operations at land border, airports and seaports;reduction in Customs tariff; and 24 hours bank services.
More pix of the roundtable discussion.
MAJAN roundtable discussion.
