Exportation of Nigerian products under-reported by media – Comptroller Nnadi
...says export may soon surpass import
Segun Oladipupo
The Customs Area Controller (CAC) of the Tincan Island Customs Command, Comptroller DERA Nnadi has said that exportation of Nigerian goods may soon surpass import saying exportation of Nigerian products in under-reported as more focus is beamed on import.
He informed that exportation of local products especially plastic products has been thriving in the sub region through land borders.
The Controller who spoke with some journalists in his office recently, noted that local manufacturing of plastic products are in high demands within neighbouring countries.
He pointed out that with time, exportation may surpass import if the tempo is maintained by both the public and private sectors.
The Customs boss added that local manufacturing of plastic products are in high demands within neighbouring countries.
Comptroller Nnadi who is the immediate past Controller of Sene command, recalled that while serving at the land border.command, hundreds of trucks lined up along the corridor daily to exit Nigeria for neighbouring countries with locally manufactured goods.
Aside exportation of plastic products through the border posts, the Customs chief reiterated that the nation’s airports are recording good number of food stuff export to diaspora adding that high volume of perishable items like vegetables, fruits and other edibles are transported outside the shores of the country regularly.
Highlighting some Nigerian manufactured products thriving overseas, Comptroller Nnadi disclosed that tobacco is getting more patronage abroad and the commodity is in high demand.
He pointed out that exportation of Nigerian products would help strengthen the Naira against the Dollar stressing that the nation’s currency has what it takes to compete with other foreign currencies .
The Customs boss re-echoed that the percentage of importers in the maritime sector surpassed that of exporters, lamenting that the ratio of the latter cannot be quantified with the former.
He maintained that ” I just left Seme for Tin Can Port Command and what I can say is that our export is under reported.
“I can tell you that Nigerian plastics export is a big market within the sub region.
“Though, generally speaking our emphasis is focused on import but the good thing now is that export is picking up through the current administration.
Apparently unsatisfied with the high number of importers, he called for more exporters to participate in the logistics supply chain to ensure a favourable balance of trade to boost the Naira against the Dollar.
According to him, exporters are unpopular in the maritime sector unlike the aviation industry where more exports are recorded in smaller quantities compared to seaports.
Comptroller Nnadi further appealed to the media to prioritize reportage of export saying a lot is happening in that aspect of international trade.
However, he urged shippers to boost their capacity in the area of packaging and processing of products.
