For Enhanced Accessibility to Global Markets

Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho has disclosed that the NPA would link  Export Processing Terminals,  EPTs and Domestic Export Warehouses, DEWs  to boost their connectivity with the seaports to grow Small and Medium Scale Enterprises SMEs sector in the country.

Dr. Dantsoho who spoke  at the 2024 Lagos International Trade Fair with the theme: ‘Connecting Businesses, Creating Value’,  reiterated that NPA is  committed to the Federal Government’s efforts at diversifying the economy by boosting non-oil exports.

He further disclosed that the linkage between the EPTs and the DEWs is being done in conjunction with the Nigerian Export Promotion Council NEPC and relevant partners.

His words “As some us are aware, in our bid to contribute to the strengthening of the domestic economy through the promotion of balance of trade, we established the Export Process Terminal EPTs to simplify the hitherto burdensome process of exporting Nigerian products.

“The EPTs were conceptualized in partnership with the NEPC to serve as a one-stop-shop for the stuffing, packaging and certification of export-bound cargo in quick turnaround time by eliminating the duplications and bureaucratic overlaps that previously rendered the nation’s exports uncompetitive in the international marketplace.

“To facilitate seaport-hinterland connectivity and create pathways for the SMEs to play in the value chain, the EPTs are to be linked with Domestic Export Warehouses DEWs in synergy with the NEPC and relevant agencies and partners.

“To align with the ease of doing business orientation of the Federal Government, we are aggressively pursuing the full automation of our processes and procedures through the Ports Community System PCS which lays the groundwork for the implementation of the National Single Window NSW. The NSW is the global stratagem for delivering the greatest value with the greatest ease by connecting all stakeholders in the trade value chain for seamless interaction at the push of a button”, Dantsoho said.

The NPA –boss further assured that NPA under his watch is unrelenting in its pursuit of full automation of the Nigerian seaport operational processes and procedures through the NPA’s pet project, the Port Community System PCS which is expected to provide the pathway for the implementation of the long awaited National Single Window NSW platform.

The NPA MD, who lauded the theme of the 2024 trade fair, said it is in line with NPA’s corporate aspirations, which aligns with Federal Government’s policy towards economic diversification.

“I have said all of these, to show that the theme of the year’s fair “Connecting Businesses, Creating Value” aligns with our corporate aspirations. As a business-enabling agency of government, the theme of the year’s fair “Connecting Businesses, Creating Value” is very much in line with our corporate aspirations”.

“Let me also assure every stakeholder that our doors are always open for partnerships even beyond this trade fair. I therefore want to warmly invite you to interact with our business development team at the NPA stand and to also visit our fully interactive online real -time website www.nigerianports.gov.ng to access our growth offerings”

“Let me further seize the occasion of “NPA’s Special Day” to invite the entire trading and investing public to explore vistas of opportunities present at the Nigerian Ports Authority”, Dr. Dantsoho declared.