Experts have resolved to explore ways of bringing about optimal use of Calabar Port.
The experts stated this at seminar with the theme: “Export of agricultural produce through the Calabar Port: Issues and prospects”, organised by the Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC) for stakeholders of the Calabar Port in Cross River State.
NSC Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Akutah Pius Ukeyima, said the objective would not only demystify export processes but also encourage more businesses to venture into export trade.
He said the proximity of the Calabar Port is a plus to businesses in Cross River and neighouring states. He added that there would be no impediments to export, particularly agricultural produce, at the port.
Port Manager, Calabar Port, Olumati Festus, said 209 vessels berthed at the port last year.
Of these, 171 were conventional that came with general cargo, PMS and others while 38 as passenger ferries.
Compared to 2022, last year had more vessel call and cargo.
He insisted that the three world-class private terminal operators at the port have facilities for handling/processing agricultural produce for export. These include large volume warehouses, open stacking areas, stuffing areas, general and specialised cargo handling equipment and machinery.”
He listed some agricultural produce that have been exported through the port as palm fruits, palm oil, palm kennel cake, timber logs/wood sample, chewing sticks, processed cocoa beans, wheat pellet/processed wheat beans, rubber crumbs, food stuff, among others.
In the communique, stakeholders agreed that dredging of the Calabar water channel is important but has not actually impeded the operation of the port; rather they insisted that in addition to adequate marketing and lobbying for patronage, the Federal Government and the state should ensure good access road infrastructure for easy of movement in and out of the port.
The participants commended the NSC efforts to create the platform to harness ideas on ways to promote export of agricultural produce through the Calabar seaport. They requested that such programmes should be organized from time to time to abridge the information gap.
Also, the participants identified multiple taxes by the State, local government authorities and unreceipted monies paid at multiple road blocks as among the cost elements that make export of produce less competitive in the international produce pricing index, thereby, requesting the Government to streamline the taxes and dismantle such road blocks.
It was advised that exporters of agricultural produce should patronize the services of Export domestic warehouses and export hubs to access professional services that will enable produce undergo proper certification and documentation to meet international standards for shipment.
Exporters were enjoined to take advantage of incentives provided by the Government such as export expansion grants and export development fund to boost participation in export of agro-produce in the State.
The participants also expressed displeasure at non-availability of liner vessels in the Calabar port and thereby called on the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Cross River State Government, Terminal Operators and shipping companies to come up with strategies to market the port in order to attract liner vessels to call at the port.
