Business
Exporters To Abandon Ports Over Fresh Charges
The Association of Exports
Commodity and Manufacturing Freight Forwarders of Nigeria on Friday, said that exporters would boycott the nation’s ports unless the terminal operators withdraw the newly-introduced container handling charges.
The President of the association, Mr Olubunmi Olumekun, told newsmen in Lagos that exporters would not pay the N40,000 and N60,000 on 20 ft. and 40 ft. containers respectively, which took effect from June 1.
Olumekun recalled that before port concession, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) was charging N516 wharfage and wharfinger on 20 ft containers, which was later increased to N2,100.
According to him, the new charges were additional charges to storage fees and renomination fees, being charged should a container fail to be shipped.
“When port concession came, we paid the terminal operators N4, 200 per 20 ft. container and N6,200 per 40 ft containers.
“Now, we are expected to pay N40,000 per 20 ft container and N60,000 per 40 ft container.
“Is this how we are going to survive and diversify the nation’s economy?’’ he asked.
Olumekun said the association demanded a review of the container handling charges to promote commodity export business in the country.
He said that exports were scheduled to be delivered within 24 hours and placed on fast track, “but the papers are still being delayed for three days.’’
“Unless the Federal Government intervenes quickly, we would be left with no option than to either shut down the ports or leave the export business.
“For those of us doing legitimate business, we cannot continue,’’ he said.
He said that 40 per cent of exporters had closed shops, adding that 30 per cent of the remaining 60 per cent were smuggling the commodities through Cotonou and Niger Republic.
“He also said our cashew nuts are smuggled though Cotonou, while sesame seeds are smuggled through Niger Republic because of the high cost of exportation.’’
He noted that export processes were also being delayed by an officer at the Apapa Customs end.
The Director of Operations, ADLAD Group, Mr Remi Olikuntuyi, said that when the port concession started, there were guidelines that there must be consultation by the concessionaires before any increase in charges.
According to Olikuntuyi, exports, imports fetch the second highest revenue for government, adding that this was why government should come and remedy the situation.
“No exporter is making profit. Without the 30 per cent incentive, Nigerian exporters cannot compete with other exporters from the neighbouring countries,’’ he said.
An exporter, Mr Usi Stephen said that exporters would not pay the new charges, saying that Nigerian exportable products were not competitive.
A source close to the Seaports Terminal Operators Association of Nigeria (STOAN) confirmed the introduction of the new container handling charges for exports.
The source told our correspondent that since the last 10 years of port concession, terminal operators were handling export containers free of charge.
According to the source, the free charge cannot go on forever considering the situation in the country.
He said that the newly-introduced charges on export containers were still lower than what importers were paying.
MoniePoint Inc. a digital financial firm in Nigeria, has said it is empowering community pharmacists across the country with innovative payment solutions to improve access to drugs.
The financial firm said it had also provided loans for pharmacists under the aegis of the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN) to drive healthcare delivery in the country.
MoniePoint in a release titled, “Inside Nigeria’s community pharmacies: How Moniepoint drives healthcare access with payments and funding”, has reaffirmed its commitment to providing digital payment solutions to improve health outcomes in Nigeria.
The release examined how community pharmacies play a crucial role as vital access points for medical care in Nigeria, especially in areas with limited hospital or clinic access.
According to the release, the ACPN National Chairman, Ambrose Igwekwam, highlighted the critical role played by community pharmacies in Nigeria’s healthcare system over the years.
Igwekwam, however, expressed concerns over the challenges confronting the nation’s pharmaceutical industry which he said was hindering access to affordable medicines.
The pharmacist listed poor infrastructural systems, power, transportation, regulatory bottlenecks, importation dependency, and limited research opportunities as major challenges facing the pharmaceutical sector.
He also stressed the need for robust collaborative efforts with institutions like Moniepoint to strengthen the sector.
“As Nigeria continues to grow, improving local pharma manufacturing to meet the demands of this growth presents a key opportunity for us all.
“There is also the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement, which is expected to boost our industry, especially when we start producing our drugs locally, which will provide the much needed foreign exchange from exports.
“We are also seeing advancements in digital health and technology which would hopefully deepen the practice of e-prescription in Nigeria”, the ACPN boss said.
Corlins Walter
In order to enhance customer service and streamline operations, the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN) has called on stakeholders in the insurance industry to embrace Artificial Intelligence (AI).
The President of the institute, Yetunde Ilori, made this call at the 2024 Office Representatives Committee (ORC) Workshop, organised by the institute, with the theme “AI and the Future of the Insurance Industry”, in Lagos.
Ilori at the event, emphasised the importance of AI adoption, noting that it was not a threat to jobs but rather a tool to improve efficiency across the insurance sector.
“It is not about AI taking over our jobs, but about us using AI to simplify processes and give maximum satisfaction to all the customers we serve whether as underwriters, brokers, loss adjusters, or in educating our members”, she said.
The workshop, which brought players in the insurance sector together, aimed to address how AI could be leveraged to transform business processes and improve customer interactions.
The Chairman of the ORC, Monica Nwachukwu, underscored the role of AI in modernising the industry, adding, “AI can automate customer and claims processes, allowing insurers to provide faster and more efficient services to their customers”.
She explained how AI could help extract data from legacy systems, enhancing decision-making processes.
“By integrating AI with APIs, insurers can feed valuable data into AI solutions to improve operations and customer service”, she added.
In his address, the Managing Partner of A4S and Training Heights, Orlando Odejide, stressed the need for companies to align their strategies with future technologies like AI, especially as they prepare for 2025.
“Any organisation that wants to grow into the future must have its strategic plan in place. If your strategy for 2025 is not ready, it should be done by October”, he advised.
He encouraged participants to think critically about how AI could be integrated into their business models to ensure they remain competitive.
“The idea is for you to use this workshop as a platform to think about your organization and how AI can help streamline your processes and improve growth”, Odejide noted.
In order to gain global respect and recognition, the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) has reaffirmed its determination to pursue its goal in ensuring that Nigeria’s space capabilities are recognised on the world stage.
The agency also reaffirmed its commitment to positioning Nigeria as a key player in the global space economy.
In a statement by the Director of Media and Corporate Communications, Dr. Felix Ale, NASRDA revealed that the Director-General of the agency, Matthew Adepoju, emphasised this during recent engagements at the 79th United Nations General Assembly and the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) and Global Alliance Business Association international conference in Michigan, United States.
The statement noted that Adepoju outlined a forward-thinking agenda, stressing the importance of Nigeria’s space programme as a leader in research, exploration, and technological innovation.
“Our goal is to ensure that Nigeria’s space capabilities are recognised on the world stage.
“We must foster collaborations with global space agencies to enhance our satellite capabilities and technological infrastructure”, he stated.
The NASRDA boss said the agency is focusing on enhancing satellite capabilities, expanding international collaborations, and leveraging space science for national development.
He said NASRDA will have no stone unturned in pursuit of excellence, ensuring the agency secures the necessary resources and recognition to propel it forward.
“The relationships we build today will pave the way for tomorrow’s advancements in space science.
“Innovation and progress thrive in an environment built on collaboration and inclusivity”, he stated.
He emphasised that with the support of the government, international partners, and a dedicated team, NASRDA is poised to make significant strides in the evolving global space landscape.
“We are on the brink of a new era for Nigeria’s space agency. Together, we will ensure our nation stands out in the global space economy”, he said.
Corlins Walter