By Uzor Odikpo
National Presdent of Association of Nigeria Licenced Customs Agents (ANLCA), Iju Tony Nwabunike, has described the country’s maritime industry as one that can retain existing employments even in the face of the Covid19 pandemic.
Nwabunike, who described the maritime industry as Nigeria’s low hanging fruit, said it has potentials for increased export and promotion of the country’s comparative advantage in international trade.
Making comparison with the aviation sector where government and private sector operators are currently finding it difficult to pay salaries, Nwabunike said that the maritime industry could be self-sustaining if properly harnessed.
He advised government to fully develope the export sector, quickly fix local fuel refining challenges, stop Importation of refined petroleum products and curb wastage of government resources.
He further expressed optimism that the sector can create more jobs and expand the scope of the national economy.
“We have watched the shocking and ongoing devastating impacts of the Corona Virus Disease on various sectors of the economy leading to massive job loss and general quake in the global economy. Though not completely insulated from effects of the pandemic, the Nigerian Maritime Industry holds potentials to serve as the country’s low hanging fruits for economic growth, stability and survival
“Unlike the aviation industry where government agencies like Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria and Nigeria Airspace management Agency including airlines are either mulling salary slash , workers lay off and shrinking in human capital needs, the maritime industry still holds the ace as indispensable mode for global trade and commerce
“Rather than worry over likelihood of job loss, customs brokers, freight forwarders, truck owners, chandlers and other ancillary service providers in the industry should gravitate towards keeping themselves abreast with virtual presence and operations in the ports.
“At ANLCA we have always advocated for a modern port regime with lesser amount of persons coming into port areas. This will now be a fast track drive because persons and businesses can meet virtually, submit,process and receive documents online without leaving the comforts of our homes and offices.
“While the port 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.
“Unknown to them, they can set up virtual meetings to discuss all business related issues and perfect related bank transactions without moving around the cities bugged down by snail speed traffic.
“The haulage section will always be there. It cannot be taken over virtually, we only foresee a regime of improved rail services.
