Nigeria and Ghana are intending to transfer cargo between the two countries via waterways in order to increase trade in items created in their respective countries.
Speaking as the Nigerian Shippers Council’s (NSC) Executive Secretary, Pius Akutah, hosted a team from Ghana under the direction of Helena Claudia Amanju, the Principal Research Officer of the Ghana Shippers Authority (GSA), he stated that more partnerships between African nations are needed to increase trade within the continent, particularly with the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
In order to make sure that all parties involved in the port system are abiding by the law, Akutah pointed out how crucial it is to have an economic regulator in place.
He informed his guest that the current law is being reviewed because all stakeholders require a regulator.
He emphasised that the new bill to replace the current one has passed second reading at the National Assembly and that the public hearing was just held this week.
Speaking earlier, Amanju, the head of the Ghanaian delegation visiting the area, stated that they are touring a few ports in the sub-region to investigate the issues driving up the expense of cargo clearance in an effort to use the information to address issues in Ghana.
Speaking during the meeting, Emmanuel Gwamfi, a member of the Ghanaian parliament, expressed his satisfaction with Nigeria’s progress in evaluating its shippers council law, given that the Ghanaian government is also contemplating a review of the same legislation.
Bottom Line
The waterways strategy aims to avoid the challenges associated with road transportation of goods while also increasing commerce volume between firms in both countries.