SAD: SABOTAGE AND A DECAYING NATION [OPINION]

Nigeria’s Export Crisis: Empty Containers and Unnecessary Bureaucratic Delays

In a stark revelation of Nigeria’s trade inefficiencies, it has been reported that a staggering 80% of containers leaving Nigerian ports are departing empty. This alarming trend is not due to a lack of produce but rather a crippling combination of bureaucratic red tape and rampant corruption within the nation’s regulatory agencies.

At the heart of the problem is a troubling inefficiency in the inspection process. Nigeria's ports are overwhelmed by a myriad of agencies including SON (Standards Organisation of Nigeria), NDLEA (National Drug Law Enforcement Agency), NAFDAC (National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control), EFCC (Economic and Financial Crimes Commission), DSS (Department of State Services), NCS (Nigeria Customs Service), Nigerian Police, NPA (Nigerian Ports Authority), NEPC (Nigerian Export Promotion Council), and NIS (Nigerian Immigration Service). Each of these bodies demands a role in inspecting agricultural exports, a task that could be handled more efficiently with a single electronic scanner.

Take, for example, the export of yams. A typical 20ft container can hold approximately 1,240 tubers of yam, each meticulously cleaned, wrapped in polypropylene bags, and packed into cartons. The process from the farm to the port is labor-intensive and time-consuming. Yet, the waiting time for export clearance at Nigerian ports stretches to a debilitating minimum of 75 days. This is in stark contrast to Ghana, where similar processes are completed in just 3 days.

The excessive delays and inefficiencies not only exacerbate spoilage but also render Nigerian agricultural products less competitive on the global market. By the time Nigerian yams arrive in Europe or America, exporters face losses exceeding 68% of their merchandise due to degradation and spoilage. Consequently, many exporters have resorted to transporting their products to Ghana for shipment, avoiding Nigeria’s port inefficiencies.

This disheartening reality is not merely an economic setback but a profound indictment of systemic failures within Nigeria. Despite being the world’s leading producer of cassava, Nigeria struggles to penetrate international markets, while cassava from the Democratic Republic of Congo is airlifted to Brussels with relative ease. The same inefficiencies and corrupt practices that plague the yam export process also stymie the cassava industry.

The current state of Nigeria’s export sector underscores the urgent need for comprehensive reforms. It is imperative for Nigeria to address the systemic issues within its regulatory framework and eliminate the bureaucratic hurdles that hinder its trade potential. A “New Nigeria” with streamlined processes, reduced corruption, and a focus on efficiency is essential for the nation to reclaim its position as a key player in the global market. The time for change is now.


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