Federal Government’s Technical Committee on widening stakeholders consultation on African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCTA) is expected to submit the reports of its findings this week, BusinessDay has learnt.
Okechukwu Enelemah, Nigeria’s Minister of Industry Trade and Investment gave the information on Tuesday, in Abuja, after a closed door meeting of the Presidential Committee on AfCTA.
Enelemah in a statement issued directed the technical drafting group led by Chiedu Osakwe,the director General of the Nigeria’s office for Trade Negotiation to ensure the draft report on the stakeholder’s wider consultations is ready this week for on ward transmission to the President.
It would be recalled that the Presidential Committee charged with the responsibility of widening consultations on the framework Agreement establishing the AfCTA initially met on 4th April 2018 during which it reviewed the Substance of the AfCTA and received an update on the legal status of the AfCTA.
The meeting followed a directive by President Muhammadu Buhari on stakeholders wider consultations before Nigeria signs the AfCTA to ensure maximum benefits for the Nigerian economy.
Nigeria made last minute withdrawal on March 21st in Kigali, the Rwandan capital at the African meeting of Heads of States and government’s on signing of the AfCTA, citing inadequate stake holder’s consultation before committing to the pact, forcing stakeholders to raise eyebrow on government’s seriousness.
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo had in recent industry stakeholders meeting in Lagos assured economic watchers that Nigerian government is not pulling out on signing the AfCTA, but consulting with stakeholders to ensure Nigeria reap maximum benefit.
Enelemah confirmed in the statement issued that the Nigerian Office for Trade Negotiation was invited to report the feedback from the stakeholders’ sensitization and consultation across Nigeria’s 6 geopolitical zones; and, with industry, sector-specific groups, labour, think thanks and civil society; and, to exchange views on the draft report that will be sent to Mr. President.
