Nigeria losses $120bn on agro-allied export – Minister

[MrVan]

BY LAIDE AKINBOADE

ABUJA – Aviation Minister, Princess Stella Oduah, said yesterday that Nigeria was losing over $120 billion annually on exportation of perishable cargo to other countries due to absence of cargo-designated airport.

Oduah, who spoke at yesterday's Aviation Sector Masterplan Roadmap and interactive stakeholders' forum in Abuja, said other countries in Africa were earning as much as $300 billion annually from export of perishable goods.

Coming against the backdrop that in Africa, Kenya earns $737.6 million, Ethiopia, $207.2 million and Egypt, $137.5 million annually, from such export, the Minister said it was imperative for Nigeria to tap into perishable cargo exports, from which it currently earned nothing.

Noting that Benin Republic earned as much as $18.7 million annually from fruits alone and Ghana, $49 million from vegetables and fruits, Princess Oduah  said the Federal Government was set to have  cargo-designated airports in Port Harcourt, Abuja, Kano, Lagos, Makurdi and Jos.

According to her, this will  help the nation earn over 40 per cent of the $300 billion made in Africa annually.

She added that the Federal Government would give priority to agro-allied and free trade zones in the proposed designated airports.

Vanguard Nigeria