By Samuel Ogude
The Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer, Nigeria Shippers Council, Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Jime said, Koko Port is strategically located along Delta State Shore as it is most suitable for the export of Agricultural and Mineral resources from the region to other parts of the world.
Hon. Jime stated this in his key-note address on Thursday during a day’s enlightenment seminar organised by Nigeria Shippers Council with title: Export of Agricultural Produce Through The Koko Port: Issues and Prospects held at Jubilee Hotel, Enerhen Road, Warri, Delta State.
According to him, Koko Port is one of the four(4) Ports in Delta State that are strategically located saying, its proximity to the region’s wealthy oil and numerous non- oil resources have made it considerable comparative advantages in facilitating export which reduces total transportation time and cost.
His words:” Koko port could be very important for the export of certain agricultural produce like palm kernel, cocoa, palm oil and robber to the international markets”. According to him, utilizing Koko Port for export, its export base can be diversified to lesson the reliance on the use of Lagos Port which is already congested.
His words:” In addition to facilitating exports, improvement to the infrastructure will no doubt attract private investments, provide employments and promote regional economic growth”.
He said this situation will further increase foreign exchange earnings leading to a favourable balance of trade and stabilize rate thereby gives strength to the naira, promote industrial activities, social security among others. According to him, while the federal government through the federal ministry of Mine and Blue Economy is fashioning out policies aimed at addressing the challenges militating against the utilization of Eastern Ports such as poor access roads and ports infrastructure, inefficient port operation, cumbersome custom processes and procedure, pre-shipment and post shipment financing among others.
Earlier in his welcome address, the President, Delta Shippers Association, Dr. Austine Egbegbadia said it is important to know the pivotal role played by both public and private sectors in fostering the economic growth of Delta State through shipping activities as together, they hold the key to unlock the untapped potentials of the ports by creating avenues for prosperity and progress.
According to him, industrialization with a focus on agriculture, stands as cornerstone of the vision of driving innovation , creating jobs and fortifying economic foundations saying, there is need to invest in human capacity building, nurturing a skill workforce that will steer the state’s endeavours geared towards success adding, not just the people but the future of Delta state itself.
He said:” In our pursuit of economic resurgence, policy consistency is paramount, a stable and supportive regulatory framework is the bed rock upon which we can build sustained progress because it provides the confidence and assurance needed for long term investments and planning”.
The programme which was attended by many stakeholders in the sector showcased questions and answers session.