By LOVETH AZODO, Lagos
The president, Manufactureres Association of Nigeria (MAN), Dr. Frank Udemba Jacobs has blamed the Nigerian Office for Trade Negotiations (NOTN) for neglecting implementation of critical issues raised by the stakeholders and manufacturers.
He cited that after a recent Nationwide consultations and sensitization programme, the subsequent activities of the NOTN was not tailored towards addressing the concerns raised and implementing resolutions.
Further, he said rather than squarely addressing those critical issues, all efforts were geared towards extolling the laudable objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) , its potential benefits and what Nigeria is expected to benefit from its implementation.
MAN President spoke at a press conference held at the MAN house, Lagos.
Describing NOTN actions Udemba said “This is rather simplistic and cannot be the way to go. Not for Nigeria that has a lot and the most to lose, should we sign-on to an Agreement that is still shrouded in uncertainty, not informed by any study and not based on any negotiated position at the domestic level. In specific terms, we have observed with great apprehension that the issues that the major stakeholders raised at the beginning, including those expressed by manufacturers, still remain unattended to”
In furtherance, he made reference to the NOTN version of the outcomes of the stakeholders’ engagements and sensitization reported in the news media, saying that the report does not adequately reflect the overall proceedings and factual expressions of the meetings.
“We are worried that this could be misleading and more importantly, may not put Nigeria in good stead and could inexorably put the nation in a disadvantaged position if or when the implementation of the AfCFTA commences”, Udemba Jacobs said.
Mentioning some of the neglected issues, he said that the 90:10 percent. Market Access ratios that should be achieved in five years lacks empirical basis and evidence of due consultation and accommodation of concerned and affected stakeholders and operators.
It was expected of NOTN during the consultative/sensitization programm and at the end of the exercise, to develop a technical paper for Government (validated by stakeholders) on cost and benefit analysis of the Agreement, the sectors/sub-sectors that would benefit or be worse off, product lines that have been agreed for liberalization, as well as the exclusion and sensitive lists, expected impact of AfCFTA on Government revenue and subsequently the welfare of over 180 million Nigerians, specific adjustment measures to be undertaken by Government to mitigate the potential impact of the Agreement on business and the citizenry, strategic advice to Government on measures to be adopted to enhance the capacity of the manufacturing sector to compete effectively in the free trade area to mention but a few.
In Addition, Edemba said “we are also worried that the Director General of NOTN “Chief Negotiator’ doubles as Chairman of AU-AfCFTA Negotiation Committee and may need to balance allegiance to both Nigeria and the AU-AfCFTA Negotiation Committee; as such, we implore the Federal Government to consider appointing a National Chief Negotiator that will be saddled with the responsibility of negotiating specifically for Nigeria”.
In his remarks he also advised that Government should as a matter of urgency commission and conduct studies such as export market discovery study (offensive), National Economic and Industrial Priority Study (defensive), Study to determine the Impact of AfCFTA on the manufacturing sector in Nigeria “MAN is ready and willing to support the exercise with technical input; experiential information and effective representation” he said
The MAN President said : “AfCFTA is a good project that will benefit Nigeria if properly negotiated; as it would expand Market Access for export of Nigerian products and improve the competitiveness of the manufacturing sector. However, the starting point of an effective AfCTFA negotiation is the recommended studies, robust consultations and proper representation of manufacturing and the private sectors at all National and Continental AfCFTA negotiation meetings. This we believe would equip members of the Nigerian negotiating team with requisite data for the negotiations ahead”
He also commended the Federal Government for its efforts at improving the economic fortune of the nation “To facilitate adequate representation and participation, we ensured that our members attended all the sensitization meetings held in the six geo-political zones chosen by NOTN and obtained reports on the outcome there” he said
Udemba applauded the Federal Government and by extension NOTN for the just concluded nationwide consultations and sensitization programme.
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