Frank Jacobs, MAN President
Nigeria's’ chance of ratifying the free trade agreement –African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)earlier than the top of the 180 days deadline set by African Union (AU) member-countries, after the deal was signed on March 21, could undergo one other setback as native producers have dissociated themselves from the result of the consultations being introduced for Federal Executive Council (FEC) approval.
With Nigeria’s Chief Negotiator, Ambassador Chiedu Osakwe and technical drafting group arrange by the Federal Government anticipated to submit the result of the consultations for presidential approval this week, the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) mentioned the problems raised by main stakeholders, together with these expressed by producers, nonetheless remained unattended to.
The producers are, subsequently, asking authorities to supply particulars of how issues bordering on the tariff strains and product strains (categorised utilizing HS codes) which have been agreed for liberalisation, in addition to the exclusion and delicate lists, implementation of market entry with out negotiating the principles of origin and different safeguard measures, could be addressed as soon as the AfCFTA is ratified.
President Muhammadu Buhari had declared that his administration was not disposed to coming into into any agreement that may make the nation a dumping floor and jeopardise its safety structure following issues expressed by MAN and different personal sector gamers.
Specifically, MAN famous that the draft of the consultations, held with the personal sector, stays shrouded in secrecy as no technical paper was introduced for validation by the affected stakeholders earlier than presentation to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) for approval and ratification of the trade agreement.
The presidential committee on AfCFTA had final week met to debate findings from the consultations held with stakeholders throughout the nation’s six geo-political zones, with a draft report anticipated to be introduced this week.
MAN President, Dr. Frank Jacobs, who addressed journalists yesterday in Lagos, mentioned the Nigerian Office of Trade Negotiations’ (NOTN) model of the result of the stakeholders’ engagements and sensitisation didn't adequately replicate the general proceedings and factual expressions at these conferences.
As acknowledged by him, native producers are fearful that moderately than squarely addressing these vital points, all efforts have been geared in direction of extolling the laudable goals of the AfCFTA.
Jacobs famous that Nigeria ought to lead the method of making certain that issues of the personal sector are addressed.
However, the Director-General of MAN, Olusegun Ajayi-Kadir, mentioned the folks wanted to know what's being signed by the federal government and trade.