The National Association of Freight Forwarders and Consolidators (NAFFAC) has decried multiple checkpoints and reports of extortions across Nigeria, warning that this illegalities would affect foreign and local investment and could further worsen the nation’s economic crisis if left unattended by the government.
The President General of the foremost freight forwarding group, Adeyinka Bakare, raised the concern on Wednesday in Lagos at a forum organised by the Association of Maritime Journalists of Nigeria (AMJON).
Bakare said multiple checkpoints along the Lagos-Badagry corridor and other entry points across the six geopolitical zones of that country are inimical to Nigeria’s participation in the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AFCFTA) Agreement.
He warned that Nigerian businesses may suffer major setbacks if government fails to resolve the bottlenecks on the movement of goods from all the entry points and international frontiers as the country’s goods and services have potential to compete favourably in the region.
Bakare noted that NAFFAC has severally engaged government at all levels with the aim of tackling the illegalities along the Lagos Abidjan corridor .
According to him, there are only five checkpoints between Ghana and Benin whereas Nigeria has over 30 checkpoints from Benin to Lagos manned by government operatives carrying out what he described as “extortion of the highest order.”
He called on the president Bola Ahmed Tinubu led administration to reduce the number of checkpoints along the routes to encourage international trade.
Bakare who doubles as the Managing Director, De Potter Nigeria Limited said trade barrier must be eliminated for the country to participate fully in AFCFTA.
The NAFFAC boss explained that Nigeria stand a chance to benefit immensely in the exportation of her commodities to other countries of the continent if well harnessed.
While reiterating the association’s commitment towards encouraging exportation, Bakare explained that freight forwarding business goes beyond import , urging government to look inward to put in place policies to drive export.
He decried the unsteady foreign exchange rates against the Naira which has also discourage international trade but expressed optimism that Nigeria’s economy will witness further growth when government prioritize cargo exportation.
“Government needs to listen to this call because all our export supposed to be on CIF which is Cost Insurance and Freight and not Free on Board (FOB).
“The issue of multiple checkpoints along the entry points is killing the business and it will affect the AFCFTA.
“The multiple checkpoints is not limited to Lagos Abidjan corridor alone. It is common in the northern region of the country and government is not doing anything about it”.
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