*Unites all foreign trade on single platform
From Suleiman Amagbor, Lagos
Following the inauguration of the Steering Committee on the Implementation of the National Single Window Project by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Tuesday, Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority, Mr. Mohammed Bello KoKo, has affirmed that the presidential backing has further invigorated the determination to remove the complications evident in administrative bottlenecks and allied bureaucracies that have retarded the comparative advantages that Nigeria’s maritime endowments offer.
Koko, who was named by the President as member of the committee had earlier led the NPA to enlist the technical guidance of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in preparedness for the seamless implementation of NSW, with the Authority’s finalization of the consultancy for the Port Community System, which lays the groundwork for the National Single Window.
The Single Window solution interconnects all stakeholders involved in foreign trade and enables them to perform trade procedures on one platform.
Bello Koko told journalists that with the implementation of the initiative, imports will be cleared at the ports within 24 hours despite the fact it takes 72 hours in neighbouring countries.
“So, for clearance, the target is actually 24 hours. Of course, we know what is obtainable in neighbouring countries; it’s 48 to 72, but the target is actually 24 hours.
“As for the number of forms, if you were filling out 20, 30, or 40 printed forms, now, digitally, you’re filling out a form that has 2, 3, or 4 pages. You can see where we’re working.
“Let me give you an example. You fill out a form that has information that is probably Customs, you’re bringing a product. What Customs is interested in is the type, the year of manufacture, and so on and so forth, but they also need the MF number, the form M number, and what have you.
“The Nigerian Ports Authority is interested in the weight of the cargo. But you are filling out different forms with the MF that both of us also need.
“So, we are trying to unify this information in such a way that you fill as little as possible, and all related government agencies that are in the value chain of import or export processing should be able to pick up the information they need from there.
“So, you can see the picture here. We are reducing the current numbers. And then, the second thing is that it’s not going to be printed. So, the efficiency it brings here is that you can feel it in your bedroom. Your offices and shipping lines, freight forwarders, Nigerian Customs NPA, and so on and so forth should be able to process your requests, whether they’re in terms of import or export. That is the target.”
It provides a comprehensive online environment for all governmental and business users such as importers, exporters, declarants, commercial banks, carriers, Customs, ministries, and other government agencies to perform trade operations.
By simplifying and automating Customs and trade processes, traders and Government agents benefit from smoother processes that enable a reduction of clearance times.
The Unified Trade Window secures Government revenue and improves the overall country image in international trade indicators.
