Capt. Adamu Biu, the Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), has called for the implementation of Single Window system in the West and Central African sub-region.
Biu, who made the call in Abuja at a Sub-regional workshop for Single Window organised by the Union of African Shippers Councils (UASC) and the NSC, said that it would enhance trade and shipping activities.
Capt. Adamu Biu, the Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), has called for the implementation of Single Window system in the West and Central African sub-region.
Biu, who made the call in Abuja at a Sub-regional workshop for Single Window organised by the Union of African Shippers Councils (UASC) and the NSC, said that it would enhance trade and shipping activities.
The UN Economic Commission for Europe says Single Window as adopted by World Customs Organisation (WCO) is a facility that allows parties involved in trade and transport to lodge standardised information with a single entry point to fulfil all import, export and transit-related regulatory requirements.
“If information is electronic then individual data elements should only be submitted once.
“The Single Window concept when eventually implemented in the sub-region will definitely be a panacea in reducing the consistent challenges and complaints the UASC have been contending with from shippers.
“It will enhance trade and cooperation between the member countries, thus stimulating appreciable economic growth for all,’’ Biu said.
He said that the implementation of a Single Window system could enable international traders to submit regulatory documents at a single location and entity.
“Such documents are typically customs declarations, applications for import and export permits, and other supporting documents such as certificates of origin and trading invoices,’’ he said.
He said that the proposition for having a Single Window for a country or economy was to increase efficiency through time and cost savings for traders in their dealing with government authorities.
In an address, Sen. Idris Umar, the Minister of Transport, said that economic development worldwide was hinged on the ability of a nation to trade effectively and efficiently in the global market.
Umar expressed regret that the complexity of international trade, especially in the areas of procedures documentation and compliance with the requirements of different countries often put shippers at a disadvantage.
Umar, represented by Mr Nebolisa Emodi, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transport, however, said that the complexity was due to intractable challenge of the extremely poor level of trade facilitation.
“The efficacy of this tool has been proven in many parts of the world, including some countries in the sub-region.
“And it is being highly recommended by international organisations like UN Conference on Trade and Development, World Trade Organisations and WCO for efficient conduct of international trade.
“The Single Window has been championed by the Ministry of Transport and its agencies in collaboration with other key agencies over the years and the Federal Government has approved the adoption,’’ Umar said.
Mr Olusegun Aganga, the Minister of Trade and Investment, said that the government could benefit from the Single Window in terms of revenue, control and security in the supply chain.
Represented by Mr David Adulugba, the Executive Director, Nigeria Export Promotion Council, Aganga said the Ministry of Trade and Investment had promoted the Single Window implementation through strong collaboration with other stakeholders.
The theme of the two-day maritime workshop is: “Single Window Environment in the West and Central Africa Sub-region: Panacea for Economic Development’’.
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