NPA sets up fast-track desk for agricultural export

As part of efforts to encourage farmers and miners in diversifying the economy and to boost foreign earnings for the country, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has set up fast track desks for exportation of agricultural commodities and solid mineral resources in the nation’s seaports.

The Managing Director of NPA, Ms Hadiza Bala Usman, made this known in a paper presented in Lagos recently.

She noted that seaports import and export guidelines should cover physical movement of goods and show flow of operations, specific activities, documentation requirements, timelines and associated changes.

In her paper titled “Growing NPA’s Revenue; The Case of Eastern Ports: Prospects and Challenges,” she stated that the move was part of her management’s current effort towards boosting trade facilitation and growing the agency’s revenue profile.

Usman said the process would enable visibility and transparency in port operations. She pointed out that the SERVICOM department of NPA will monitor and ensure the implementation and sustenance of all Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) initiatives on trade facilitation.

“Some of the reform initiatives along this include the fact that we have put in place fast track desks for export of agricultural commodities and solid minerals,” she said.