“No job loss in maritime industry amid COVID-19”

...ANCLA calls for improved online transactions at port

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

As millions of businesses around the globe are barely breathing, occasioned by the  economic meltdown created by the coronavirus, the Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents, (ANCLA), has said, the Nigerian maritime industry if properly managed is capable of creating more jobs for the nation

The National President of ANCLA, Hon. Tony Nwabunike stated this in a release he made available to nation update online on the way forward.He stated that though the industry is part of the suffering larger society, the potentials of it driving  the economy of the nation abounds.

He stated that unlike what is obtainable in the  aviation industry where the likelihood of salary cut is starring on the face and lay off chances dangles, the Maritime industry he said stands the advantage to raise the bar in the areas of global trade and commerce

Apapa Port, Lagos

Nwabunike challenged customs brokers, freight forwarders, truck owners and other ancillary service providers to imbibe the culture of online transaction at the ports, and reduce physical/congregational presence. insisting that transactions could be done from homes and offices, whereas persons and businesses could also engage in virtual discussions, using other available interactive tools(Webinars).

“While the ports cannot be virtual, our presence can be. We have been partaking in Webinars where we communicate effectively, take business and corporate decisions without traveling. This is the new curriculum we are recommending as a basic training content for everyone wishing to use ports and other maritime services moving forward.

“ANLCA independent research shows that over seventy percent of persons using our ports are yet to understand these things which they need for their professional future and business survival. Over eighty percent of them do not even know the many unused business tools to advance their trade embedded inside the mobile phones they carry about,” he stated.

Virtual meeting in session

He stressed the they could explore their communication gadgets (phones)  for virtual meetings to discuss all business related issues and bank transactions and avoid  being enmeshed in traffics and risks while the rail services comes handy for haulage.

In order to move ahead of the coronavirus  economic meltdown, Nwabunike said that as a matter of urgency, the country must reposition its non oil exports to secure jobs especially in the agricultural sector which he said stands the chances of creating more  jobs and foreign  exchange.

“We as a country, should identify  products for which we have comparative advantage. Nigerian made electric cables have been noted for being of higher quality than most imported ones. Government should be the number one buyer of quality made in Nigeria products while encouraging citizens to do same without promoting monopoly and profiteering.

He made a case for local refining of crude oil  to stop the importation of refined petroleum products, which has deprived the country much  of what could have been her benefit through payment of subsidy, even deprived of value from other oil by-products.

He said, “it doesn’t make logical and economic sense for Nigeria to be buying what she has from outside simply because she failed to process her crude, could not fix her refineries.

“we have cotton but still depend on other countries to produce our clothing needs is a result of fall in the local textile industry. The industry is dying partly due to lack of power as it was discovered that it is cheaper to manufacture textiles outside Nigeria than doing it in the country.

Carrying cotton balls

“Our textile industry alone can produce jobs running into millions for a 200m population and exporting to other countries.Rice self sufficiency is still a struggle even after its removal from forex and ban from importation through land borders.”

The ANCLA President posited that government should reduce expenses often incurred on certain foreign trips and  accommodations. unnecessary conferences  need to be avoided to save cost that could be channelled to development

He condemned the attitude of government agencies in the maritime sector who are highly culpable in such unnecessary talk shops that has not brought desired result.

He further advocated for private sector involvement  in rail coaches, “Whereas the railway is government owned, there is the need to allow private investment in ownership of coaches to move cargoes from dry ports to the seaports and vice versa. This mode of transport if encouraged and opened to the private sector, will bring about cheaper and safer mode of cargo movement within the country,” he said.