Lagos — FORMER President Olusegun Obasanjo, yesterday, decried the
excessive local shipping charges and cumbersome clearing of goods at the
nation’s ports despite the concessioning of the ports, saying this
development has militated against trade facilitation.
Speaking at the 3rd edition of the Nigerian Maritime Exhibition and
Conference tagged NIMAREX 2013, Obasanjo noted that stakeholders must
institute measures that would bring about trade facilitation with a view
to reducing time and cost.
He contended that no nation could afford non-performing maritime industry if it wanted its economy to experience growth.
Obasanjo, who recounted the events that led to the liquidation of the
Nigerian National Shipping Line, NNSL, explained that the recognition
of the importance of the maritime industry to the development of the
economy led to the establishment of the shipping line.
According to him, his government at that time recognized the essential
role of shipping in the development and operation of a maritime industry
capable of conserving foreign exchange and a major foreign exchange
earner for the country.
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