The Nigerian Ports Economic Regulatory Agency (NPERA) has announced plans to reduce the cost of doing business at the country's ports. According to Dr. Pauline Osasona, Head of the Abuja Liaison Office, the agency's new mandate empowers it to harmonize charges at the ports, thereby making it easier for exporters and importers to conduct business. This move is expected to make Nigerian ports more competitive.
Dr. Osasona spoke at a sensitization program held at the Abuja International Trade Fair. She noted that multiple charges at the ports have made it difficult for businesses to operate. Exporters and importers currently pay a range of charges to various agencies, including customs and terminal operators. These charges add up, making it costly for businesses to export or import goods.
The NPERA Head of the Abuja Liaison Office explained that before her agency's existence, it was cheaper to do business at ports in neighboring countries. For example, ports in Lome and Tamale charge around $1,500 for exports and imports, while Nigerian ports charge over $5,000. This disparity makes it challenging for Nigerian ports to attract businesses.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu recently signed the Nigerian Ports Economic Regulatory Bill, transforming the Nigerian Shippers' Council (NSC) into NPERA. The new agency aims to regulate service providers at the ports and ensure that charges are standardized and approved. This move is expected to bring sanity to the ports and make it easier for businesses to operate.
Dr. Osasona emphasized that the agency's goal is to make Nigerian ports competitive and attractive to businesses. By reducing charges and streamlining the process, NPERA hopes to increase revenue and make it easier for exporters and importers to conduct business. The agency will also ensure that service providers are regulated properly and that charges are transparent.
The sensitization program was organized to educate exporters and importers about the new agency's mandate and goals. Dr. Osasona and her team explained that NPERA is committed to making Nigerian ports more efficient and competitive. The agency will work with various stakeholders to ensure that the ports are equipped to handle the growing volume of trade.
The Nigerian Ports Economic Regulatory Agency is expected to play a crucial role in regulating the ports and ensuring that charges are standardized. With its new mandate, NPERA is poised to make a positive impact on the country's trade sector. The agency's efforts are expected to lead to increased efficiency, reduced costs, and improved competitiveness for Nigerian ports.
Key points
- NPERA aims to harmonize charges at ports to reduce costs for exporters and importers.
- The agency's new mandate empowers it to regulate service providers and standardize charges.
- The goal is to make Nigerian ports more competitive and attractive to businesses.
