Nigeria’s Non-Oil Export Hits N121bn …As NEPC Sets Zero Plan For 2016

The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) says Nigeria’s total non-oil export volume in the first three quarters of 2015 was $612.73 million. The NEPC Executive Director, Mr Olusegun Awolowo, made the disclosure in an interview with newsmen in Abuja yesterday.
Awolowo said the volume of non-oil exports dropped slightly during the year when compared to the preceding year.
He attributed the drop to the uncertainties surrounding political activities in the country as well as the activities of insurgents in the northeast region. “Statistics of non-oil exports dipped a little in 2015 when compared to the preceding year.
“This can be attributed largely to two major reasons, which are – 2015 being an election year, there were plenty of uncertainties surrounding political activities and that of the insurgents in the northeast.
“However, some marginal impact was made though only statistics of the first three quarters are captured for now.
“For the first quarter, we have gross weight of 516, 428. 63 metric tonnes with export value of $664, 638. 89. “ The second quarter has gross weight of 368, 529. 64 metric tonnes with export value of $391, 602,161. 02, while for third quarter we have gross weight of $311, 769. 10 metric tonnes with export value of $220, 460, 728 respectively,’’ he said.
Awolowo said the council was working on a Zero Oil Plan that would enable it to achieve its objective in the current year. He said the plan was “in addition to implementing the National Strategic Export Product (NSEP) targeted at replacing oil and to shore up the country’s foreign exchange earnings.
“The Zero Oil Plan will ensure that the sector emerges as a major contributor to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product. “When fully implemented, the Zero Oil Plan will assist in achieving our set goals,’’ Awolowo