NAN-AE-8
Seaports
By Ginika Okoye
Abuja, Feb. 17, 2017 (NAN) Some farmers in the country have appealed to the Federal Government to reduce port charges on agricultural produce to encourage export and boost production.
Some of them, who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Friday, expressed concern over the constant increase in charges on goods and services.
Pastor Timothy Soladoye, a cassava farmer, said that charges at Nigerian ports were the most inflated in the world.
Cue in audio 1 (Soladoye)
“Since the time of (former President) Obasanjo regime, All Farmers Associations were gathered in Abuja and we were told to tell what are the challenges for export.
“We made them realise that Nigerian seaport is the costliest in the world and that is the reason why you find our importers passing through Cotonou.
“If I import a car and I need to pay one million naira in Nigeria and I pass it through Cotonou. In Cotonou, I pay N50, 000, getting to Nigeria by land, I pay N100, 000.
“It has saved me a lot and then I will give the agent another N50, 000, that shows, I have spent N200, 000 instead of one million naira.
“The same thing applicable to export. This regime came, they said we should encourage exportation of farm produce. What of the charges at the ports.’’
Cue out audio 1
Soladoye, who is the Chief Executive Officer of the Bolfem Corporate Services Limited, added, “Charges at the ports are so inflated that we can’t export.
“Another big challenge that we have that government should look into is the area of capital flight. So if this government is ready to fight corruption, they should look into even exporters.
“Are they exporting genuinely or at the detriment of those who are working genuinely for the growth of the nation?’’
A cassava grower in Delta State, Mr Justus Kachikwu, expressed regret that some farmers in the country were still practising the traditional method of farming.
Kachikwu, who is the Chairman, Cassava Growers Association of Nigeria in the state, said the traditional system of farming was a setback to bumper harvest and production for local consumption and exports.
Cue in audio 2 (Kachikwu)
“The challenges farmers are facing is that they do not have access to mechanised equipment and eventually, nobody is thinking toward that side.
“Even if they give you ten million (naira) loan and you don’t have the required equipment and machineries to do the work, you won’t make it.
Cue out audio 2
The chairman advised the Federal Government to procure and distribute mechanised equipment to farmers across the country to ensure improved food production.
Mrs Obianuju Okpo, the President, Association of Women in Bee Keeping, Nigeria, urged at governments at all levels to look into export duties to encourage the export of honey and other bee derivatives at the international markets.
According to her, this is necessary to attract foreign exchange into the country. (NAN)
GINI/YEE
Edited by Emmanuel Yashim
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