Minister of Industry Inspects  NPA Facilities in Calabar

By: Joseph A Ashibekong

The Hon Minister of Industry, Trade and Investments , Dr. Doris Udoka- Anite ,has inspected facilities at the  Nigerian Ports Authority in Calabar.

She noted that her visit to the Calabar Port was to understand the daily operations, inspection processes, trade bottlenecks to identify policy options that will make trading seamless for the Nigerian Government as well as allowed for interaction and engagement with relevant agencies at the port and border post control to better understand their operations for efficiency .

The Minister who was represented by the President, Calabar Chamber of Commerce, Mr. David Etim said the visit was  to create a platform for discussions with border personnel, Customs, Security, and inspection agencies, small businesses located around the border, fright forwarders as well as trade / transport auxiliaries, shipping lines, and other relevant agencies.

He added that the visit will also help to ascertain the operation, challenges faced by the port and get recommendation  back to Government for necessary action.

The Port Manager, Nigeria Port Authority, Calabar, Chief Olumati Ikechi Frstus, welcomed the delegation, noted that ports activities are slow because of insufficient Cargo to carry goods through Calabar Port to other Countries.

Chief Olumati urged the delegation should discuss with the Cross River State Governor on the need for the State and other Cross Riverians who are into business development to be involved in Ports activities because, the ship that normally bring goods to Calabar Ports used to returned empty without exporters from Calabar Port as well as ensure improved security at the port for safety of lives and properties.

Earlier, the State Commissioner for Commerce, Dr. Abigail Duke Orok who had earlier received the delegation at Margaret Expo International Airport Calabar, noted that the People's First Governor, Sen Prince Bassey Edet Otu is committed to improve  trade and investment by ensuring that business activities at the Port see the light of the day.

According to her, the Ministry of Commerce is working hard in line with it's  vision and approved budget activities to move  the State forward and in partnership with the relevant Federal Government agencies, we will breathe business life into Calabar port again.

On his part, the World bank Economists, Mr Mohamed Oluaibu and Mr Aleksandor Stojaror said the mission of their visit was to discuss participation in trade activities.

They duo maintained that the idea was to partner in terms of support to ease the challenges, policy dialogue, data and fact findings on areas of challenges to ensure trade facilitation for business development to promote exports.

In attendance were the Traffic Manager, Mr Haleye E. Mr Monday Bulus Procurement, Mr Chris Statistics  Mr Mathew Osaro Assistant Manager, Management team of the Ministry of Commerce include the Permanent Secretary, Dr Mrs Mary Theresa Agede Ebe, Director of Administration, Mrs Glory Odu orji, Director of Planning, Research and Statistics, Elder Ayi Ayi, Director of Account, Mr Erim Egbe Ovat, amongst others.