The Africa Centre for Supply Chain, (ACSC) has said that private-public collaborations and deliberate investment in infrastructures will aid the recovery of Nigeria’s supply chain industry which has since been disrupted by COVID-19.
Speaking during the public presentation of the Nigerian Logistics & Supply Chain industry report (2019/2020 edition) and the 9th ACSC fellowship investiture and induction ceremony, Obiora Madu, director-general, ACSC Council said any company that refuses to collaborate may not survive post-COVID-19.
“For instance, collaboration means a company in the north that has something to send down to Lagos can collaborate with a company in Lagos to help facilitate movement of the goods, after which they can both share the profits,” he explained.
Madu sought for the government’s support in providing infrastructures to aid movement of goods and services, adding that the industry cannot make good progress without infrastructures.
“Planes come into Nigeria with cargo and get out of Nigeria without cargo. The same thing with ships, yet Nigeria is blessed. Private-public participation is key. Transport is only one component of the supply chain. All other components need to work together to achieve success,” he said.
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He said the centre has consistently held this event in the last four years in a bid to move the industry forward, adding that many people have benefited from the centre through its consistent education programmes.
In his key note address, Apollo Goma, CEO, APGEE Consult and a fellow of ACSC said some impact of COVID in the transport and distribution chain include labour shortages and productivity, movement restrictions, shortage of raw materials, demand disruptions and alterations, business disruptions, drop of economic indices and social unrest amongst others.
In a bid to facilitate recovery, Goma spoke of the need to develop and resort to local raw materials source and alternative production inputs (technology, labour and raw materials) for Nigeria’s manufacturing industry which can be homegrown.
He said organisations need to synergise so as to be more efficient in the utilization of trucking resources, adding that increased collaboration would help drive down costs and improve efficiencies.
He listed other recovery measures to include use of technology & data application; labour rationing, assessment & compensations for productivity; improved social & health care systems; advance planning, sensitivity and scenario plan application; development of infrastructures and allowance for constrained work amongst others.
Rotimi Amaechi, Minister of Transportation who was represented by Mercy Ilori, director, transport planning and coordination, Federal Ministry of Transport, Abuja said the Federal Ministry of Transportation is not resting on its oars but is still charting out implementable Policies that will facilitate a seamless transportation sector for all Nigerians.
The minister said there is therefore a need to look inwards to source for needs and to design the transport system and supply chain to reduce external disruptions caused by pandemics and movement restrictions.
“I also challenge you all to continuously offer your unwavering support to engender solutions within your core competence to transform the Nigerian Transport and Logistics to become more competitive and in line with global best standards,” Amaechi stated.
