By Munachimso Obienyi
The Federal Government, through the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has granted operating licences to export terminals as part of its bid to boost the nation’s foreign exchange (forex) earnings.
The NPA’s Managing Director, Mohammed Bello-Koko, disclosed this yesterday during the inauguration of Diamond Star Export Processing Terminal in Ijora.
He said the approval given by the Federal Government has strategically positioned the country to optimise the advantages of the benefits inherent in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Agreement.
He said the government, based on in its bid to eliminate undue delays that leads to rejection of Nigerian exports abroad, granted the approval for the establishment of a new Export Processing Terminal (EPT) in Lagos, the Diamond Star Export Processing Terminal.
He said, “This initiative signposts NPAs’ commitment to the implementation of the National Action Plan on Agro-Export and the Federal Government’s desire to diversify the national economy from oil export to non-oil exports.
The Authority is by this move positioning to infuse greater efficiency into the logistics surrounding the entry of export boxes into the ports and the eventual loading on sea-going vessels. The launch of this and other terminals also strategically positions Nigeria to optimize the advantages of the benefits inherent in the AfCFTA agreement”.
