The Nation Newspaper

Tag: ECOWAS

  • Customs, traders back ECOWAS external tariff

    The ECOWAS Common Ex-ternal Tariff (CET) will cre-ate more jobs, increase capacity utilisation of industries and boost trade among member-countries, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the National Association of Nigerian Traders (NANTS) have said.

    CET has been adopted by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) member-countries to enhance economic integration in the sub-region.

    Speaking at a workshop organised for maritime reporters in Abuja, Customs’ National Public Relations Officer Mr Wale Adeniyi said CET would create jobs and boost the country’s revenue base.

    “Multilateral commitment to treaties like ECOWAS and  other ones within the WTO (World Trade Organisation) is going to take a lot of tolls on our revenue base but its is good for the country.

    “We are going to be talking on how to support our local industries, and think of how many industries are operating despite the harsh economic environment to create jobs for the youth.

    “We are going to engage our stakeholders on how many graduates we able to employ as a country.

    “We are going to be turning to the ports and say how long does it take to process goods after declarations, how many good declarations do we received in a day?

    “We need to know the amount of time it takes to discharge goods from vessel and the time it takes to move them out of the ports.”

    Adeniyi urged the maritime reporters to assist Customs in enlightening the public on the importance of CET to the economy and job creation.

    NANTS National Secretary Ken Ukaoha called for the implementation of CET to boost regional trade among member countries.

    He said the non-implementation of the common tariff could lead to the disorganisation of the region.

    Ukaoha stressed the need to put necessary measures to ensure its implementation.

    “The Common External Tariff, if implemented, can help the region to grow; it can also help in achieving the distribution and redistribution of wealth across the region.

    ‘’CET can also work towards fast tracking poverty reduction, because you are creating jobs for the people.

    “It can also guarantee and help or assist consumer choice; and most importantly, it will help member countries come together and do things as one; it is an open door to common market operations in the region.

    “However, if you don’t implement very well, it can also lead to disorganisation of the region and disappearance of ECOWAS.

    “There must be some level of carefulness in the implementation of the CET, the enforcement of the laws, because we are porous, so that we do not allow third parties to benefit, while we lose and then become a dumping ground, our industries will stifled and die away.

    “There must be constant monitoring of the impact of the CET on the economy; the future is watching, history is waiting.”

    According to him, before CET, there have been laws and other protocols which have not been able to promote trade in the region.

     

  • ‘ECOWAS common tariff will create more jobs’

    Mr. Wale Adeniyi, the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), says the ECOWAS Common External Tariff will create more jobs and increase capacity utilisation of industries.

    Adeniyi, who is also a Deputy Comptroller of Customs, stated this on Wednesday at a two-day workshop organised for maritime reporters on Wednesday in Abuja.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Common External Tariff is a form of economic union among members of the ECOWAS adopted to enhance economic integration of the sub-region.

    The initiative will also enable member states to have other common trade policies.

    “Multilateral commitment to treaties like ECOWAS to other ones within the WTO (World Trade Organisation) is going to take a lot of tolls on our revenue base.

    “So, we have to find other standard for measuring how good we are.

    “We are going to be talking about how we are supporting our industries, how many industries are operating despite the harsh economic environment.

    “We are going to be engaging our stakeholders to be telling them, how many graduates are we able to employ.

    “We are going to be turning to the ports and say how long does it take to process declarations, how many declarations do we process in one day.

    “What is the time it takes to discharge goods from vessel and the time it take them out of the ports”?

    He urged the maritime reporters to assist customs in enlightening the public, through their reportage of the importance of the CET, which could affect the revenue and boost the nation’s economy.

    Adeniyi said that Nigeria’s commitment to the common external tariff would enable it to join the Economy Union market.

  • ECOWAS, UN hail Jonathan at farewell

    •Mahama laments non-rescue of Chibok girls

    THE Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and United Nations (UN) have lauded President Goodluck Jonathan for peaceful and successful conduct of the nation’s last general elections and promptly conceding defeat to Gen. Muhammadu Buhari.

    Chairman of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the ECOWAS and President of Ghana John Mahama Dramani gave the commendation on behalf of the community’s leaders at the 47th Ordinary Session of the Authority in Accra, Ghana.

    The UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-Moon, in a message by read by his Special Representative, Muhammed Ibn Chambas, also praised Jonathan for his contributions to regional peace and security.

    According to Mahama, Jonathan’s place will be special whenever the history of Nigeria’s democracy is written.

    He congratulated Buhari for his victory at the March 28 presidential election.

    The Ghanaian president noted that the success of the Nigerian election and that of Togo has sent a strong message to the world that the ECOWAS protocol on democracy and good governance was working.

    He lauded the progress recorded in the fight against Boko Haram, noting that atrocities committed by the insurgents were unsurpassed anywhere in the world.

    He regretted that Chibok girls have remained in the custody of the insurgents despite the rescue of over 1,000 people.

    He said: “People, especially of Northeast Nigeria, have been subjected to a reign of terror.

    “Today, thanks to the African Union (AU) and the multinational Joint Task Force formed by the Lake Chad Basin countries, a lot of progress has been made in the fight against Boko Haram.

    “We are pleased to note the success in liberating the territories that Boko Haram dominated and the release of over 1,000 people mostly women and children.

    “The fight is however far from over. We have not yet secured the release of the young Chibok girls and Boko Haram has shown that it still has the capacity to counter attack.”

    Ki-Moon said: “As this marks the final summit of President Jonathan, I wish to send our sincere appreciation for his valuable contributions to regional integration, maintenance of peace and security in West Africa, most notably in Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea and Mali.”

    The UN Secretary General commended the smooth conduct of general elections in Nigeria and Togo with the close cooperation of ECOWAS.

    While recognizing the joint effort of Nigeria, Niger, Chad and Cameroon in the fight against Boko Haram, he paid tribute to the soldiers that lost their lives and expressed the world body’s deepest condolences to their families.

    The President of the ECOWAS Commission, Kadre Desire Ouedraogo, noted the credibility Nigeria has brought to ECOWAS with the just concluded general election.

    He said the commission would never forget the contributions of Jonathan to the management and resolution of crises in West Africa.

    He said: “I am confident that nothing will come to make us forget the great pride Nigeria has brought us only a few weeks ago.”

    The regional leaders are expected to extend the mandate of the ECOWAS Security Mission in Guinea-Bissau (ECOMIB) and approve the 2015 budget for the mission.

    Present at the meeting were the leaders of Ghana, Togo, Nigeria, Niger Republic, Burkina Faso, Liberia, Cote d’Ivoire, Mali, Sierra Leone, Senegal, Gambia, Cape Verde, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, and Republic of Benin.

  • 2015 polls: ECOWAS, UN hail Jonathan

    2015 polls: ECOWAS, UN hail Jonathan

    The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on Tuesday commended President Goodluck Jonathan for the peaceful and successful conduct of the last general election in Nigeria and for promptly conceding defeat to Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), who was later declared winner of the presidential election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    The Chairman of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the ECOWAS and President of Ghana, John Mahama Dramani, gave the commendation during the opening address at the 47th Ordinary Session of the Authority in Accra, Ghana

    According to him, Jonathan’s place will be special whenever the history of Nigeria’s democracy is written.

    He also congratulated Buhari for his victory in the March 28 presidential election.

    The Ghanaian president pointed out that the success of the Nigerian election and that of Togo had sent a strong message to the world that the ECOWAS protocol on democracy and good governance was working.

    He said: “Ladies and gentlemen, at our summit, I informed you that five member states of our sub-region would hold election this year. We are extremely proud of the elections held so far in two of our member states.

    “I salute the people of Nigeria and Togo for the peaceful elections held in those countries. This sends a strong message to the world that our protocol on democracy and good governance is effective and has strengthened the rule of law in our sub-region.

    “Let me on your behalf take this opportunity to highly commend our brother, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan for his personal show of mature statesmanship in the event that followed the presidential election held in Nigeria.

    “I believe his name will be recorded in a special place when the history of Nigeria’s democracy comes to be written.

    “Let me also on this occasion salute Gen. Muhammadu Buhari for his victory in the presidential election.”

    He also commended the progress recorded in the fight against Boko Haram, noting that the sect’s atrocities were unsurpassed anywhere in the world.

    He regretted that Chibok girls have remained in the custody of the insurgents despite the rescue of over 1,000 people.

    In a message by the United Nations Secretary General, Ban Ki Moon, read by his Special Representative, Muhammed Ibn Chambas, he also praised Jonathan for his contributions to regional peace and security.

    “As this marks the final summit of President Goodluck Jonathan, I wish to send our sincere appreciation for his valuable contributions to regional integration, maintenance of peace and security in West Africa, most notably in Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea and Mali,” he said.

    The UN Scribe also commended the smooth conduct of general elections in Nigeria and Togo with the close cooperation of ECOWAS.

     

  • ECOWAS common tariff won’t benefit Nigeria, agents claim

    ECOWAS common tariff won’t benefit Nigeria, agents claim

    Is the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Common External Tariff (CET) of benefit to Nigeria?

    No, says the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), which is championing the review of CET by the incoming Muhammadu Buhari administration.

    CET, ANLCA claims, has made Nigeria’s ports the most expensive in West Africa because of the multiple charges collected from importers.

    “These charges are hindering the trade facilitation programme, while businesses in other sub-regional ports like Cotonou are thriving,” the agents said, adding that this is why CET cannot be implemented in Nigeria unless the government reviews it.

    ANLCA, it was learnt, has drawn the battle line with the Customs and the Council for Regulations of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) over CET’s implementation and practitioners’fee collection.

    ANLCA asked its members not to pay the fee, which CRFFN would have started collecting since May 11.

    In a Public Notice, the CRFFN said: “In exercise of the powers conferred on it under Section 4 (d) and 6 (2) (C) of the CRFFN Act No 16 of 2007, notice is hereby brought to all registered freight forwarders; all seaport terminal operators; all airport cargo terminal handlers and the public that the collection of practitioners’ fee by the council commences on Monday, May 11, 2015.”

    Besides asking its members to shun the directive, ANLCA has suspended further discussions with CRFFN.

    ANLCA said the directive for the fee collection can only emanate from the National Assembly after the CRFFN board must have been constituted by the government.

    ANLCA President, Prince Olayiwola Shittu, is blaming the high cost of cargo processing on the introduction of what he calls “obnoxious levies”.

    Importers, he said, pay multiple charges before collecting their goods, urging the government to address the problem and reduce the cost of doing business.

    Shittu said: “Importers pay Customs duties and levies that are not uniform in most of the seaports. Other tariff that make the ports expensive are the seven per cent development levy; one per cent comprehensive import supervision scheme; 0.5 per cent  ECOWAS Trade Liberation Scheme (ETLS); NIMASA/NPA Sea Protection Levy (SPL); haulage cost – transportation per 20-foot equivalent unit (TEU) and terminal operator progressive stage charges.

    “Importers also pay terminal operator documentation; terminal operator examination; terminal operator scan fee; terminal operator scan loading fee; terminal operator delivery; terminal operator terminal handling and terminal operator labour fees.

    “They also pay shipping line demurrage, shipping line agency, shipping line documentation, shipping line telex release, shipping line container deposit fees, terminal operators two weeks additional advance rating period, shipping line two weeks additional advance rating period, shipping line minimum of one month grace for container deposit refund, freight forwarders professional fee – unstreamlined, and several inconsiderate charges at the bonded terminals”.

    An ANCLA member, Mr Segun Ogusanu, derided the five per cent Value Added Tax (VAT) and one per cent Pre-Arrival Assessment Report (PAAR) charge as some of the multiple charges.

    Ogunsanu said for CRFFN to be effective, it must comprise elected practitioners.

    “CRFFN is headed by a Registrar, who is the Chief Executive. He is a permanent staff member unlike others who are elected into office or appointed by the Minister of Transport. The Board of the CRFFN cannot remove him without the approval of the Minister, a position that makes the chief executive officer very powerful and issue any notice he likes without consulting the people on whose behalf the council was established.

    “Since a new board has not been constituted and election held, the council is a one-man show,” he said.

    ANLCA’s  National Publicity Secretary Kayode Farinto told The Nation that the National Executive Council (NEC) has suspended further discussions with CRFFN.

    He said: “NEC has constituted a committee to interface with the management of CRFFN to come up with recommendation towards further engagement.

    “The committee is empowered by NEC to discuss, negotiate and take all appropriate steps towards ANLCA professional interest.

    “The committee members include the association’s former president, Chief Ernest Elechukwu; Chief Peter Obi; Prince Taiye Oyeniyi; Mayor Ekweche; David Kanikwu; Bayo Oyekanju; Alhaji Umar Ibrahim and Kayode Farinto.”

    Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC), it was learnt, may intervene in the face-off between the CRFFN and ANLCA to ensure peace at the ports.

    Its Executive Secretary, Mr Hassan Bello, sources said, may summon ANCLA and CRFFN officials to a meeting before the week runs out.

    CRFFN Registrar, Sir Mike Jukwe, said the collection of practitioner’ operating fees was a directive given to his agency by the Federal Government.

    “As an employee, I will convey the position of ANLCA to the government and will be directed further,” he said.

     

  • IMF pegs Nigeria’s exports to ECOWAS at $6b

    Nigeria’s exports to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) member-countries have been increasing yearly, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Article IV Consultation Staff Report. They increased from $1 billion in 1990 to about $6 billion in 2013, IMF said.

    The report said the implementation in January 2015 of the Common External Tariffs (CET) for ECOWAS member-countries is expected to reduce incentives for informal trade and simplify Customs procedures, potentially increasing recorded trade volumes.

    “Moreover, the slowdown in Nigeria will adversely affect informal exports to Nigeria. Anecdotal evidence indicates that goods that are subject to import restrictions in Nigeria have become key export goods for neighboring countries. Those informal exports to Nigeria are important sources of income for some neighboring countries and outward spillovers may be nontrivial,” it said.

    It said growing cross-border activity of Nigerian-based banks has increased the scope for spillovers through financial channels, along with regulatory and supervisory challenges.

    It added that the depreciation of the exchange rate would add to inflation, reflecting the pass-through of higher domestic prices for imports, but the effect is likely to be contained, in part due to lower food prices from increased local production of staple food crops.

    The IMF said the outlook was compromised by low fiscal and external buffers, which have reduced the capacity to absorb shocks relative to the experience of the 2008-09 financial crisis.

    The lender said the government expressed its determination to implement appropriate measures to manage risks.

    “They agreed that the oil price shock is significant and, at least in part, permanent, but saw a smaller effect on economic activity than staff, owing to measures targeted at sectors critical for growth (agriculture, power, small enterprises) and the impact of remittances. They noted that rising food self-sufficiency would limit the pass-through to inflation and activity in housing construction would continue,” it said.

     

  • ECOWAS seeks punishment for perpetrators of attacks

    ECOWAS seeks punishment for perpetrators of attacks

    THE Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has warned the South African government to halt killings of immigrants.

    It urged South Africa to ensure that those responsible are brought to book to serve as deterrent to others.

    ECOWAS Chairman and President of Ghana John Mahama, in an interview with reporters after a meeting with President-elect Muhammadu Buhari, said it was unfortunate that citizens of countries that fought against white majority rule in South Africa have become target of attacks by South African youths.

    He stressed that apart from condemning what was happening in South Africa, ECOWAS and others must work with South African government to ensure that the killing is stopped as well as prevented from happening again.

    He said: “I think it is an issue that we are all worried about because of the specific circumstances of South Africa and it’s most regrettable and most unfortunate. I think that the young people of South Africa do not know what happened before they gained their freedom. The whole of Africa stood behind South Africa to fight against apartheid.

    “Indeed, for several of the countries whose citizens were brutalised in South Africa, these are countries that were called frontline states and harboured the freedom fighters of South Africa and gave them safe haven, gave them passports to be able to avoid the clutches of the apartheid regime.

    “Nigeria, even though not a neighbour of South Africa, was considered a frontline state because of the economic contribution that Nigeria made to liberate South Africa from apartheid. And so, it is regrettable that the same people, who fought against apartheid, are being attacked.

    “The pictures we have seen are horrible. As ECOWAS, we have issued a statement condemning what is happening. The unfortunate thing is that this is not the first time. It keeps flaring up and so while we are condemning this incidence, we must work with South African government to ensure that it won’t happen again.

    “We are trying to create an integrated continent where our people can move freely amongst our countries. This has not set a very good example for integration and especially for South Africa that has investments all over countries.

    “I think that the government must sit up and must take strong action and those that have been involved in these atrocities must be brought to book and must be punished, serving as a deterrent.”

    Congratulating Nigerians for a peaceful, free and fair election, he said Nigeria has set an example for other African countries to follow in the area of good governance and democracy.

    He said: “I am here in my capacity as the Chair of the Authority of the Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS and if you recall, shortly before the elections that were held recently in Nigeria, I visited on behalf of ECOWAS in solidarity on behalf of ECOWAS to encourage the country to hold a peaceful election that was free, fair and transparent.

    “You have done just that and the elections were held in a very peaceful environment and the President-elect was elected. I am here to congratulate him on his election on behalf of ECOWAS region.

    “Earlier this morning, I called on President Goodluck Jonathan and also commended him for the maturity and statesmanship that he has shown in terms of conceding before the results were announced and calling President-elect to congratulate him.

    “I think that Nigeria has shown a very good example for our sub region that democracy and good governance has found a firm root in the sub region. ECOWAS has a protocol on democracy, good governance and election and I believe that this has been properly followed in Nigeria.

    “We have five elections this year and Nigeria has set the pace. We still have Togo, which is coming up this Saturday. In October, we have Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivoire and Guinea. I think that with what has happened in Nigeria, you have set the example for others to follow in terms of the standard to follow.”

    On insurgency, he said: “One of the major issues we have is the issue of insurgency. There are many dimensions to what is happening in the Sahel parts of not only West Africa, but also parts of Central Africa. These are parts of the results of the destabilisation that took place in North Africa. So, it is a matter that does not affect only West Africa, but also Central Africa.

    “We are forming strategic partnership to see how we will deal with it. One of the things we were supposed to carry out is a joint meeting between the Economic Community of Central African States and ECOWAS.

    “There was supposed to be a joint meeting in Malabo, but that meeting was postponed as a result of the elections in Nigeria. We are hoping that the inauguration of the president will take place so that a date for that joint meeting will be fixed so that together as sub regions, we can take joint strategies on how to deal specifically with the issue of Boko Haram”.

     

  • ECOWAS, Biden hail Jonathan for statesmanship

    The Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and Ghanaian President, John Mahama, yesterday praised President Goodluck Jonathan for conceding defeat to the President-elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari.

    He conveyed ECOWAS’s commendation while speaking with reporters after a  meeting with Jonathan at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    According to him, his visit was to extend ECOWAS commendation and praise to Nigerians.

    He said: “If you recall before the elections, on behalf of ECOWAS, I gave a solidarity message to Nigerians to step up and consolidate your democracy by having peaceful, free and transparent elections.

    “And I believe that the world is congratulating you on the peace and stability that has continued to endure both before, during and after the elections.

    “I have been talking with President Jonathan on several issues in respect to ECOWAS.

    “We are due to have a summit and we discussed issues about the summit and a few outstanding issues relating to ECOWAS.

    “I also took the opportunity to praise him for the statesmanship that was displayed after the election.

    “I feel that was a very great sign of maturity and he has earned the respect of all Nigerians and the international community.

    “We expect a smooth transition and hail the role that Nigeria played in ECOWAS, being the biggest economy not only in our sub region but on the continent.”

    The Ghanaian President also praised the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Attahiru Jega for successfully conducting free fair and credible elections.

    Mahama  hailed INEC’s role as an unbaised umpire.

    He  spoke during a visit to the INEC headquarters in Abuja

    United States Vice-President Joe Biden also praised Jonathan for his statesmanship.

    A statement by the U.S Diplomatic Mission in Nigeria said Biden spoke with Jonathan in a telephone conversation from Washington D.C.

    “Vice-President Joe Biden spoke today with President Goodluck Jonathan to commend him for his leadership in ensuring Nigeria’s recent elections were peaceful and orderly.

    “The vice president noted that President Jonathan’s actions to accept the results and congratulate President-elect Buhari has strengthened Nigeria’s democracy.’’

    The statement stated that Jonathan had, by his action, set a strong example for Africa and the world.

    “The vice president encouraged President Jonathan to remain engaged and play a leadership role in global issues after his presidency ends,’’ the statement added.

  • 2015 polls: ECOWAS hails Jonathan statesmanship

    2015 polls: ECOWAS hails Jonathan statesmanship

    The Chairman of the Economic Community for West African States (ECOWAS) and Ghanaian President, John Mahama on Tuesday commended President Goodluck Jonathan for his statesmanship by conceding defeat to the President-elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari.

    He conveyed ECOWAS’s commendation while speaking with journalists after a closed-door meeting with Jonathan at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    According to him, his visit was to extend ECOWAS commendation and congratulations to the people of Nigeria following the successful conduct of this year’s elections.

    He said: “If you recall before the elections on behalf of the authority of ECOWAS I gave a solidarity message to Nigerians to step up to the plate and consolidate your democracy by having a peaceful, free and transparent elections.”

    “And I believe that the whole world is congratulating you on the peace and stability that has continued to endure both before, during and after the elections.”

    “I have been conferring with President Jonathan on several issues in respect of ECOWAS. We are due to have a summit and we discussed issues about the summit and a few outstanding issues relating to ECOWAS.

    He added: “I also took the opportunity to commend him for the statesmanship that was displayed after the election. We all knew that he congratulated president-elect Buhari after the election realities and he conceded, I feel that was a very very great sign of maturity and has earned the respect of all Nigerians and the respect of the international community for all what he did.”

    “We expect a smooth transition and possibly the role that Nigeria plays in the ECOWAS being the biggest economy not only in our sub region but in the whole continent.”

    Stressing that Nigeria was an important member of the sub-region, he said that the body expects Nigeria to continue to play its prominent role in the ECOWAS sub-region.

     

  • Nigeria’s exports to ECOWAS hit $6b

    Nigeria’s exports to Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) member-countries have been increasing yearly, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Article IV Consultation Staff Report.

    They increased from $1 billion in 1990 to about $6 billion in 2013, IMF said.

    The report said the implementation in January 2015 of the Common External Tariffs (CET) for ECOWAS member-countries is expected to reduce incentives for informal trade and simplify customs procedures, potentially increasing recorded trade volumes.

    “Moreover, the slowdown in Nigeria will adversely affect informal exports to Nigeria. Anecdotal evidence indicates that goods that are subject to import restrictions in Nigeria have become key export goods for neighboring countries. Those informal exports to Nigeria are important sources of income for some neighboring countries and outward spillovers may be nontrivial,” it said.

    It said growing cross-border activity of Nigerian-based banks has increased the scope for spillovers through financial channels, along with regulatory and supervisory challenges.

    It said the depreciation of the exchange rate would add to inflation, reflecting the pass-through of higher domestic prices for imports, but the effect is likely to be contained, in part due to lower food prices from increased local production of staple food crops.

    The IMF said the outlook was compromised by low fiscal and external buffers, which have reduced the capacity to absorb shocks relative to the experience of the 2008-09 financial crisis.

    The lender said the government expressed its determination to implement appropriate measures to manage risks.

    “They agreed that the oil price shock is significant and, at least in part, permanent, but saw a smaller effect on economic activity than staff, owing to measures targeted at sectors critical for growth (agriculture, power, small enterprises) and the impact of remittances. They noted that rising food self-sufficiency would limit the pass-through to inflation and activity in housing construction would continue,” it said.