The Nigerian Port Consultative Council (NPCC), has declared support for the newly- inaugurated committee on the Single Window Project and calls for its quick implementation just as it declares its support for the project.
In a statement, Chairman of the Council, Mr. Bolaji Sunmola said that the project when fully-implemented will not only enhance Ease of Doing Business in Nigerian ports, but it will also further assist the facilitation of trade in ports and border ports.
Sunmola stated that the Council is ready to assist the implementation project by way of monitoring its progress and give necessary advisory support.
He disclosed that about 10 years ago, the Council undertook a study of the Single Window Project in Ghana and saw how successful it was and advised the government to do same.
He lamented that 10 years after that visit, Nigeria is just taking steps to bring about the same project.
He said: “The Nigerian Port Consultative Council about 10 years ago went on a visit to Ghana to understudy its Port Community System and it was shocking to find out that that they had implemented the Single Window System.
“Sadly, 10 years after that visit, Nigeria is still grappling with the project. At NPCC, we hope that with the inauguration of the Single Window Committee by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who has charged the Nigerian Ports Authority and the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, we are filled with expectation that this will eventually take off.
“The NPCC urged the immediate commencement of the project across all ports in Nigeria directed by the President. The Council suggest that the project be implemented on a port-by-port basis until it is perfected across all ports.
“The commencement of the Single Window project will not only enhance trade facilitation, but it will also block revenue leakage and make Nigerian ports more competitive”.
According to the NPCC Chairman, “the inauguration and the expected implementation of the Single Window Project is one of the best trade policy the current administrator has come up with as it will change the face of trade in Nigeria and possibly checkmate the activities of smugglers and redirect Nigerian bound cargoes that had been diverted to port of neighbouring countries”.
“The NPCC welcomes the inauguration of the Single Window Committee and awaits the implementation of the policy in earnest and ready to contribute its quota to the successful implementation by monitoring and giving necessary assistance as the port community project progresses going forward”, he added.
