ABUJA: Nigeria’s non-oil export volume in the first three quarters of 2015 hit US$613 million, Mr Olusegun Awolowo, Executive Director of Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), has said. Awolowo said in Abuja on Saturday that the statistics of non-oil exports dipped a little in 2015 when compared to the preceding year.
He attributed the reasons for the reduction to the uncertainties surrounding political activities and the activities of insurgents in the north east. “Statistics of non-oil exports dipped a little in 2015 when compared to the preceding year.
“This is attributed largely to two major reasons which are, in 2015 being an election year, there were plenty of uncertainties surrounding political activities and that of the insurgents in the north east. “However, some marginal impact was made though only statistics of the first three quarters are captured for now. `
“For the first quarter, we have gross weight of 516, 428. 63 metric tonnes with export value of US$664, 638. 89. The second quarter has gross weight of 368, 529. 64 metric tonnes with export value of US$391, 602,161. 02.
“While for the third quarter we have gross weight of 311, 769. 1 metric tonnes with export value of US$220, 460, 728 respectively,” he said. Awolowo added that the council was working on a Zero Oil Plan that would enable it to achieve its objectives in 2016.
“In addition to implementing the National Strategic Export Product (NSEP) targeted at replacing oil and to shore up the country’s foreign exchange earnings, the Zero Oil Plan will ensure that the sector emerges as a major contributor to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product. “When fully implemented, the Zero Oil Plan will assist in achieving our set goals,” Awolowo said.
