AFCTA: Nigeria stands to gain with infrastructures in place – Minister

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

The Honourable Minister of State for Transportation, Sen. Gbemisola Saraki, has said that
Nigeria stands to benefit immensely from the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCTA) only if basic infrastructures are properly put in place.

She stated that good access roads, stable electricity supply, and security along trade corridors need to be properly placed to attract investment.

Saraki who has been chosen to champion the “Workstream on Road Transport Infrastructure and Services in readiness for AfCTA”, single continental market for goods and services in Africa made the disclosure when she received the Workstream Sub-Committee on AfCTA in her office in Abuja.

The minister said the era of dependence on crude oil as the sole source of earning is gone, maintaining that government has no reason being in business rather than creating an enabling environment.

The President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration she said is working tirelessly to revamp infrastructure so that Nigeria  can become a globally competitive economy.

The Minister further stated that she is currently discussing with the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing on having dedicated routes for inter-state travels and concessionning of Federal Roads.

Assured that she is currently working on how the road transport sub-sector can be over hauled in line with present realities, that she has met with various stakeholders.

Not losing sight of the fact that though the task ahead is daunting but not impossible, the Minister assured the sub Committee of her Ministry’s support in achieving the laudable objectives of AfCTA.

In his presentation, Francis Anatogu, the Senior Special Assistant to the President and Secretary, National Action Committee on AfCTA, argued that the situation whereby the continent spends $650 billion on importation annually, out of which 85% comes in from outside of Africa is no longer acceptable.

Anatogu however posited that for Nigeria to harness the potentials of the agreement, she needs to be part of the African Union’s (AU) conversation towards ensuring that policies introduced are in tandem with national laws of the country.

Reacting to the issue of funds as the reason why Nigeria has not fared so well, the Acting Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Transportation, Dr. Husseini Adamu, said the onus is on the Committee to justify why money should be allocated to it, adding that ideas and proposals put forward must be easily understood and comprehended