LCCI blames $10 Bbillion Non-oil Export Losses,1000 Deaths On MDAs, Bad Roads

By LOVETH AZODO, Lagos

***Calls For vacation of FOU on all Roads

In response to the 2017 World Bank Ease of Doing Business ranking which Nigeria ranked very low at 183 out of 185 the Lagos Chamber Of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) has blamed the estimated $10billion lose on Non-Oil export and 1000 people killed in 308 container truck related accidents in 2017 on the ministries, department and Agencies (MDAs) and Negligence of Repair and Maintenance of Port Roads by the Government

In a bid to facilitate trade and doing business in the country the federal operations unit (FOU) of the Nigeria custom service should vacate all roads including interstate roads whether on checkpoint duty or on patrol duties adding that they should be limited to the Ecowas Treaty Approved Checkpoints close to International boarders.

According to fact based feedback study on maritime ports carried out by LCCI in collaboration with OPS and Centre for International Private Enterprise (CIPE) The President, LCCI, Mr Babatunde Ruwase while addressing Newsmen said that the research noticed a worrisome level of deliberate resistance by some of MDAs to implement/enforce enabling regulations including the 2017 presidential executive orders relating to the ports.

Furthermore, he stated that Fights for supremacy, conflict of interest among the MDAs and revenue ambitions that conflicts with trade facilitation objectives among the MDAs are common issues

On the Container Truck accident, he cited the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) 2017 report he said 1000 people killed in 308 container truck related accidents in 2017 alone

“Feedback from Stakeholders confirm that bad port access roads account 90 percent of accidents that cause damage to fragile imported items leading to significant losses in addition, there are painful reports of loss/damage of perishable agricultural export due to extended time spent by the trucks before getting to the ports or the poor condition of warehouses at the ports.”

Ruwase who cited other findings of the study said the economy is currently losing about 600billion in customs revenue, 2.5trillion corporate earnings across the sector on an annual basis

Outlining some of the suggestion for reforms and policy actions from the reports, he stated that there should be Implementation of the use of Single Window Platform by the relevant MDAs, Enforce Presidential Executive Order.

The Report also suggested the Reduction of the number of MDAs and security formations at the ports, he said that the number of government agencies /departments at the ports is now 12 and need to be reduced to 8 in line with presidential order and best international port practice.

On ports outside Lagos, it suggested that government should Pay attention to other ports outside Lagos, adding that the concession of Onitsha seaport should be finalized, the security situation along and within the Warri port in other ward off militants and yours should be improved.

On Bad roads and Infrastructure the Report suggests a track park and call-up system, the president pointed out that the Tin Can Port has been abandoned for some time now and should be revived, there is need to commence the use of Orile Truck park for truck call-up system.

In addition, it suggests Repair and Maintenance of port Roads, “the ongoing repair of port access roads through PPP is commendable but the pace of work has been slow leading to traffic gridlock to and within the ports. The scope of road repair should be extended to other port access and link roads with Set timeline for completion and post repair Maintenance” Ruwase commented.

On Rail, he said our desire is for Nigeria to get to the point where it can move containers and other items to and from the ports using rail across the country.

“In the meantime we call for the removal of all impediments and obstruction on the existing port rail line including the tank farms.”

“The tankfarm would not be in existence if the pipelines were effective, they are flourishing on the ineffectiveness of the pipelines.”

He urged that those who have been benefiting from the existing situation should be faced frontally for us to have a lasting solution to the problem at the port adding that corruption is the root of all the challenges faced in the Maritime Ports.