Miami-Dade port, opportunity for Nigeria exports – US delegates

Stories by Ajibola Patrick Lagos

Miami port in the United State of America has been described as a destination eager to receive home made goods from Nigeria by the US maritime trade delegates. Th e comment was made in Lagos during the week when a delegation from the Miami-Dade’s ODevelopment and International Trade and Port of Miami met with the Nigerian maritime stakeholders. Th e delegation was led by Mission Leader, Commissioner Audey Edmondson. Members of the delegation, Jean. J. Barnett and Desmond Alufohai, who spoke exclusively with Blueprint said America, especially business operators at Miami-Dade County could not wait to tap from the huge potentials that abound in the nation’s maritime sector.

Th ey explained that their mission was to further boost existing businesses frame works with the Nigerian ports in the area of technical exchange, port development and strategic partnership that would lead to mutual benefi ts between Nigeria and the Miami port. Barnett said, “Nigeria is a nation blessed with hardworking and vastly educated people who are making waves across the globe and core sectors in the US. We are here for trade facilitation. We are going to share our success story the leadership of the maritime sector and Nigeria will be better for it. “We have made the best choice by coming to partner with the biggest business brand in Africa.

Th e huge potentials in the Nigerian ports are inexhaustible. Th e US market through port Miami is waiting for Nigeria to take the lead in business initiative and expand the coast of tourism and home grown products.” Barnett, a legal practitioner and consultant to the Miami port added that no serious industrious nation with future would ignore Nigeria. “Part of what has helped us in Miami that made us a global brand today is planning with the right people. Th e port in America is being managed by the private sector and everything is fi ne. I am confi dent that our partnership with the Nigeria ports will be fruitful. We are happy to be here” she said. Alufohai said that the Miami trade delegation was also on ground to get an update on an agreement signed with the ports authority in the country six years ago. “Yes we were here six years ago and we will concretise the foundation we have laid. 10 years ago, Miami ports was not listed among leading six ports both today we are there through diligent planning, hard work and policy support from our government. “Th e government has been supporting every positive step to turn around the ports. Despite the huge traffi c in out of the port, we have a robust transport system that takes of the congestion. We are waiting for the Nigerian agricultural produce like tomatoe, garri, yam and many others through which the people can earn foreign exchange.ffi ce of Economic

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