Maritime experts have said ports in African countries are designed mostly for imports rather than export, noting that not less than 90 per cent of the income accruing into the African continent is used to fund import.

According to them, design and location of ports in African countries do not make room for export trade whereas in Western states ports are designed purposely for exports.

While noting that commercial banks are not committed to funding of export trade, they opined that Africa is now at a crossroad where it either exports or perishes.

They noted that the continent is endowed with vast natural resources, coastline, arable land and huge population which is critical for the diversification of trade in the continent.

The maritime experts stated this in a communiqué issued at the end of the just concluded inaugural edition of the International Sea Trade and Investment Convention 2015 with the theme “Exploring New Trade Frontiers.”

Though they observed that Nigerian economy as well as that of the entire African continent is import and mono product based, the experts stated that there are vast trade opportunities in landlocked countries which should not be neglected.

They decried the low volume of export cargo in African countries which leads to high cost of shipping and thus is detrimental to intra-regional trade.

They called for effective government regulatory climate needed to ensure quality control as the cornerstone of the production of indigenous goods and services.

“There are no direct trade routes amongst African countries and this is detrimental to intra-regional trade. Central Bank of Nigeria’s recent withdrawal of access to foreign exchange on 41 import items is a welcome development. Not all international conventions Nigeria is a signatory to are domesticated and implemented,” they said.

The experts stated that standardisation is key to international trade, even as they expressed regret that most exporters are unable manage and preserve the standard of their products as they do not have adequate knowledge of existing international specifications.

According to the communiqué, export tariff are ambiguous and complex therefore not easily understood by exporters. Policy inconsistency and overt dependence on road transportation are major obstacles to export trade in Africa.

“Undocumented export trade is the reason for inaccuracy in export data and adversely affects funding by commercial banks. The lack of upgrade in the quality and scale of infrastructural investments in the hinterland ports contributes to high transportation cost. Lack of maintenance of pipelines contribute to gridlocks in port access roads in Lagos areas,” they said.

The experts, which include: the Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC), Mr. Hassan Bello; former Director General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Mrs. Mfon Usoro; and the Director General, Nigerian Chamber of Shipping (NCS), Mrs. Ifeanyinwa Anazonwu-Akerele stated that the contribution of truckers to the economy is vital and can bring the economy to a halt if their problems are not properly addressed.

“Advocacy to ensure the implementation of government policy is lacking. The lack of concessioning of port railway system affects adversely export trade. There is a lot of suspicion amongst African countries which constitute hindrance to building enduring trade relationships”, the communiqué added.