Nigerian economy comatose: Open policy on AfCFTA needed – ANLCA

The Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) has urged the Federal Government to come up with an open policy on the government agency that will be handling the nation’s involvement in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement.

The National Vice-President of ANLCA, Dr Farinto Kayode, emphasized that the government agency should be the one in charge of issuing certificates of origin for Nigeria.

Kayode made this known during the Association’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting, held in Lagos on Monday.

He said that the importance of the Association’s submission on the AfCFTA is to prevent the country from being turned into a dumping ground.

The National Vice President explained that the country’s economy is comatose, adding that patriotic citizens need to play a significant role in the AfCFTA agreement.

He, therefore, recommended that the National Economic Council should set up a committee of people of good character, knowledgeable to liaise with the Federal Ministry of Industry and Trade in order to harness the potentials of AfCFTA for the good of the country.

“We need to engage the Federal Government to come up with an open policy particularly on the government agency that will issue a certificate of origin for Nigeria.

“This is important so that our country will not be turned into a dumping ground. The economy of our nation is already in comatose.

“We as patriotic citizens need to play a significant role in the AfCFTA agreement.

“I am recommending to NEC to set up a committee of people of good character, knowledgeable to liaise with the Federal Ministry of Industry and Trade in order to harness this for the good of our nation,” the ANLCA National Vice President said.