Customs Area Controller of Apapa Command, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu has stated the command’s resolve to build on the African Continental Free Trade Area in terms of export
Olomu recalled that the command was the first to facilitate the export of products to other countries with Lucky Fibres Ltd as its Nigerian company to export goods under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement, specifically to Kenya.
While receiving Olusegun Olutayo, a senior international trade policy and law expert and Mr Girdhar Chandak the commercial head of Lucky Fibres Ltd to the Command on Tuesday October 29th, 2024, the Controller said opportunities abound for more Nigerian exporters to leverage on the AfCFTA scheme
According to Olomu the milestone marked the beginning of a seamless trade facilitation between Nigeria and countries outside the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) as the AfCFTA agreement which flagged off on July 16th, 2024 aims to boost intra-African trade by reducing tariffs and enhancing economic growth . Nigeria will continue to explore new trade opportunities under the AfCFTA agreement. Lucky Fibres Ltd’s pioneering export sets the stage for a brighter economic future ”
Chandak said the company is majorly exporting hair products and it is an opportunity for them to create a name for” Made in Nigeria” products not just in Kenya but in Africa at large.
” Lucky Fibres Ltd is into the manufacturing of synthetic hair extensions and hair-care products and we market and distribute these products with the brand name Lush Hair. As a company we applied to export under this agreement a couple of months back when we heard about the AfCFTA program. We saw it as a good opportunity where we can seamlessly export products throughout Africa and we are about making our first export to Kenya. We are manufacturers of haircare product like shampoo, conditioner. Ever since we applied for export under the agreement, the Nigeria Customs Service has been supportive and is making sure that our products seamlessly gets to Kenya.”
Mr Olusegun Olutayo who spoke with our reporter on the importance of this major export said that Lucky Fibres Ltd exports to Kenya signifies a major breakthrough for “Made in Nigeria” products by paving the way for increased trade and economic cooperation between Nigeria and other African countries.
” On July 16th 2024, we flagged off this agreement and it’s like a relay race.It is meant for countries to trade into any other country outside ECOWAS and Lucky Fibres Ltd is ready to take their product into Kenya from Nigeria and it means that products produced in our country are going into the economy of Kenya.
” Customs are the the Designated Competent Authority (DCA) .It is a provision under the AfCFTA agreement article 2021 that gives them that power so we as stakeholders and coordination officers gave that designated authority to customs because the knowledge of declaration, verification, examination resides with customs. To do otherwise is like playing the game of a fool so the smartest anybody can do is to allow the Nigeria Customs to do their job because they have been doing it for many years since the agreement requires it .That is why we are here at Apapa Command to enable the company have a seamless trade facilitation and also to ensure all processes are Carried out smoothly.”
Speaking on the benefits of Lucky Fibres Ltd export to Nigeria and roles which the NCS has played in ensuring that AfCFTA is implemented for a seamless trade facilitation, Mr Olutayo emphasized that through exports there will be job creation in the country and the demands for Nigeria products will be on the rise.
” The gain or benefits is in many forms .Firstly, we need to understand that our Nigeria and by extension Africa, as a continent is an import dependent country and that is not a good story. That is what AfCFTA is offering, we are changing the narrative by simply saying that we can not continue to be an import dependent country by extension import dependent continent.
” We went to Rwanda two weeks ago for the Biashara Conference. During the conference, the companies that won the slot for 001 and 004 for exports followed us to the conference and every single products they took to Rwanda got sold out. They didn’t come back with a single product and the success story is that they have both gotten orders to the extent that they need to employ more people to help them produce these product. That is where job and wealth creation comes in and I know that is what is going to happen to Lucky Fibres Ltd.
” I must commend the CGC, Comptroller Adeniyi Adewale.He has done so well.His leadership has enhanced trade facilitation in this country and we must commend his work so far and services rendered by the officers of the NCS.They have been so cooperative and willing to be of help to ensure that our country gets a better image and our businesses gets a better reception.”
