An indigenous company, Starlink Global and Ideal Limited has decried the arbitrary taxes imposed on exporters from Nigeria, saying, “We need to internalise our thinking by boosting our economy, develop the taste of what we produce”.
Speaking at the weekend during the official commissioning of a Multi-Million Naira Warehouse Complex with a 2,000 Metric Tonnes Project in the Ikom Local Government Area of Cross River State, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Starlink Global and Ideal Limited, Dr. Adeyemi Adeniji said that agricultural opportunities abound in the country.
“Today, if you want to export from here, you have a problem especially when you are talking about FX scarcity.
“Nigeria companies when we ship to China, and you say the country of origin is Nigeria they will charge you ten percent but if you get a country of origin to be Niger, a French-speaking country, they will waive it.
“They made it noncompetitive, so what do you need to do, we need to internalise our thinking.
“What do we need to do, we have the population, and just need to boost the economy of this country and develop the taste of what we produce.”
The Cocoa Merchant who said the project is expected to house agro products from the Central part of the state and prepare them for export called for greater involvement of youths in the Agriculture sector.
“You know we have our problem now with differences in economic policies, JAPA syndrome, and with renewed hope according to what the president said that if we explore and exploit all the opportunities around us then we can become a very great Nation.
“We have the potential, we are tired of being told we have the potential to become a great Nation, we need to change that to become a very great Nation.
“You cannot export stones, when you are looking at the industrial revolution you need raw materials and where will the raw materials come from, is it when you have the average age of farmers now 40 and above, you need to start giving the younger ones the hope that they can do it and get there.
“Farmers are the richest people in other countries like the United States; we need to create private companies to be intentional of developing this particular space.
“That is why we acquired the largest cocoa-producing factory in Lagos we have started partnering with Ogun state and AfriExIm bank to establish the largest cashew processing factory.”
“We are tired of potentials and just need to harness our God-given talents and resources. Enough of the stories that Calabar port cannot be dredged, that is why we demonstrated by bringing a smaller vessel.
“We are also going to bring a smaller vessel that will be loading between Calabar and Duala or Yaounde and those places, the rest of Cross Riverians should remain here and develop it.
“That is our objective; we cannot be waiting for government all the time.
From the Ikom axis people who are indigenous, we have 57 of them on our employment roll and we intend to bring in more”, he said.
On her part, the State government representative, Director of Administration, Ministry of Commerce, Glory Odu-Oji said the government is happy that Starlink has seen it fit to make its presence felt in Ikom.
“You are not only going to be carrying cocoa, but we look forward to a time you will be carrying cocoa beans out of Ikom.
“We are also happy that you want to give back to the community you are benefiting from and your action today shows that you are not just paying lip service but you mean business.
“The State Governor is not relenting in his efforts to ensure the state hits the ground running particularly in the area of exports”, she said.
Also speaking, Executive Director/CEO of Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) Dr. Ezra Yakusak said the country needs to evolve more foreign export as a means of survival.
He said the engagement is part of the efforts of the federal government to diversify exports and that Starlink is one of the companies that benefitted from the federal government export grant
He added that this goes to show that the grant was judiciously utilized and it also goes to assure the government that when grants are given like this they are well utilized.
Chairman Association of Cocoa Farmers, Cross River State, Achu Bisong lauded the CEO of Starlink Global and Ideal Limited for giving the youths of Ikom a platform to develop their cocoa business.
He told the youths, especially graduates that there is dignity in farming. Bisong advised that instead of going around looking for white-collar jobs, youths can go into farming.
In the same vein, the Area Comptroller of Customs, Cross River/ Akwa Ibom who was represented by Bosun Akande also commended the company for the great initiative.
He charged the marketers not to use the space for illegal business.
The Guardian
