Maritime Operator Predicts Increase In ECOWAS Trade

A maritime operator in
Port Harcourt, Chief Henry Chima, has predicted that there will be an increase in trade between members of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) region in 2014.
Chima, who made this prediction while interacting with The Tide in Port Harcourt, also said the increase would depend largely on reliable maritime transport in the area.
According to the former chairman of the association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) Rivers Seaport, there is hope for increase in trade at the Port Harcourt Wharf given the efforts being made  by the terminal operators to attract business to the port.
He said “This is why ECOWAS is supporting sea-link project which aims at facilitating transportation of goods and persons through water”.
The maritime executive posited that an efficient sea transportation system would go a long way in addressing infrastructure problem which was a major hinderance to trade within West Africa.
Chima maintained that the project would ease the burden on road and contribute meaningfully to the economic growth of the region.
He said that the maritime project, expected to link West African countries by sea would likely start operation before the end of 2014.
The former ANLCA boss also said “Before the end of this year, we expect that the company will start operation and will have headquarters in one of the member-states, and offices in other member states.
The road conditions are not good. The vehicles themselves are not so good to satisfy the volume of business”.