The Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty, Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi Ojaja II, has challenged stakeholders to uphold and take advantage of the African Growth Opportunity Act (AGOA).
Specifically, the Ooni, who spoke in Lagos at a forum comprising of representatives of NPA and delegation of the Miami Dade County, Florida, and Port Miami described standardization and packaging as aspects that would be of comparative advantage to Nigerians in trade to the United States.
He identified Nigeria as a blessed nation with vast mineral resources such as Banana, Pineapple and shea butter.
He explained that in the Gulf of Guinea, Nigeria boast of multiple natural and mineral resources, adding that the alliance between NPA and Port Miami should be strengthened to yield greater dividends.
Also speaking at the event, the Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Rotimi Ameachi said the Federal Government has directed NPA to embark on 24 hours ports operations across the nation’s seaports.
Represented by the Director of Marine services, Alhaji Sani Umar Galandanci, the Minister said the relationship between NPA and Port Miami would help to build technical partnership, transfer of knowledge and further help to diversify the Nigerian economy.
In her address, the Managing Director of NPA, Hadiza Bala Usman, represented by the Executive Director Engineering and Technical services, Prof. Idris Abubakar affirmed that the new relationship between NPA and Port Miami will definitely expand bilateral trade opportunities and enhance a greater opportunity that will be mutually beneficial to the two nations.
The NPA boss added: “The trade forum is an important means through which we can highlight the capabilities of our port system and diversity of trade”.
In his submission, Senator Ovie Omo – Agege who represented the National Assembly appreciated the management of NPA for facilitating the stakeholders Trade Forum with the Miami Dade office of Economic Development and International trade, adding that it was in the interest of the nation to regularly engage and take proactive measures on existing and new investment opportunities.
Also speaking at the event, the National President of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) Iyalode Alaba Lawson lauded NPA, asserting that the forum would greatly imrove trade relations between Nigeria and the United States of America in general and Miami – Dade county in particular, adding that NACCIMA would promote and advocate a free – market economy of which international trade is a major component.
In her response, the leader of the delegation from the Miami Dade county and the Port Miami, Audrey M. Edmonson expressed joy that a woman is at the helm of affairs in NPA, adding that Miami – Dade county and Port Miami are ready for business and investment from Nigerian.
