MAJAN Seminar: Experts Reveals how National Single Window Project Will Revolutionize Nigeria’s Trade System.

By Joe Njoku,
Global Freight News.

At a one day Seminar organised by Maritime Journalists Association of Nigeria (MAJAN) on National Single Window (NSW) Project, experts says that the initiative is laudable project that will not only revolutionise trade facilitation in Nigeria but also foster transparency, combat corruption, and enhance efficiency in Nigeria’s maritime trade sector and ultimately boost the nation’s economy.

This was the general view of the experts and ports industry stakeholders at a one day seminar by the Maritime Journalists’ Association of Nigeria (MAJAN). The theme of the Seminar held at Rockview hotel, Apapa Lagos is “Transforming Trade Facilitation: Role of National Single Window in Enhancing Efficiency.”

In his remark, a former president of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders ( NAGAFF, Dr Eugene Nweke), Chairman of the event commended MAJAN for putting up such a laudable programme with important topic of national interest, saying that the theme is apt and timely.

He noted that trade is supposed to promote global peace but wondered if trade is really promoting peace in Nigeria currently. He stated that the National Single Window Project is an initiative that can transform trade in Nigeria and bring about significant transformation to Nigeria economy if taken seriously.

However, he is worried that people are politicizing the initiative rather than embracing it, noting that the project will enhance trade facilitation and transparency. He asserted that the initiative will bring laudable changes into the port operation in Nigeria if well implemented.

The Project Lead of the National Single Window (NSW) initiative, Mr Tola Tola Fakolade in his goodwill message reaffirmed the government’s resolve to improving Nigeria trade environment through the implementation of the NSW project.

NSW project lead, who was ably represented by a director of the project, Mr Peter Ekunkoya, described NSW project as a transformational initiative of the current administration, aimed at enhancing economic efficiency and trade competitiveness.

” The National Single Window Project is designed to be a centralised, digital platform for submission, processing, and approval of trade related documentation. By linking various government agencies, importers, and service providers, we aim to significantly reduce the time and cost associated with import and export activities,” Fakolade started

He emphasised the administration’s bold vision to reduce clearance times for Import and export from an average of 10 to18 days down to just 24 hours. According to him, the shift will not only increase transparency and reduce bureaucratic hurdles but also improve Nigeria’s ease of doing business and attract foreign direct investment which ultimately contributing to nation’s GDP growth.

Following the project’s formal inauguration by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on April 16th 2024, stakeholders engagement have commenced to develop the framework and governance structure necessary for the successful implementation of the initiative.

Acknowledging historical challenges in Nigeria’s trade system, such as long clearance times and poor coordination among regulatory agencies, Fakolade said that the NSW platform will address these inefficiencies by enabling seamless access to trade information and documentation.

He described the project as a “ground breaking journey” that would modernise Nigeria’s trade processes and place the place the country at the forefront of global trade facilitation.

However, he noted that the success of the NSW project will depend on collaboration among key agencies, including the Nigeria Customs Service, Standard Organization of Nigeria, NAFDAC, NEW ERA, CBN, NPA, FAAN, terminal operators and security agencies like NDLEA, DSS. He stressed the importance of collective participation and the need for enabling infrastructure to support efficiency with international standards.

Fakolade expressed appreciation to all stakeholders involved, acknowledging their dedication and expertise. “At the inauguration, the President reiterated that this project would be a legacy of the present administration. All those involved would be writing their names in gold,” he said.

Therefore, he called for unity and commitment, encouraging stakeholders to embrace the opportunities presented by the NSW project for national prosperity.

In a keynote address titled, The Role of NSW in Enhancing Economic Efficiency”. Peter Ekunkoya gave an overview of what the team has done and what to expect next. He said the NSW is a facility that allows parties involved in trade and transport to lodge standardized information and documents with a single-entry point to fulfill all import, export, and transit related regulatory requirements.

The key features of the initiative according to Ekunkoya are single interface, data sharing, transparency, e-payment and risk management. He pointed out that the project has saved Singapore around $1bn per year, adding that since 2014, the cost saving to the economy of Kenya through the initiative amount to about 22.5m per year.

He noted that the system will reduce average time it takes to clear goods from the ports from 18 days to 1day, reduce the amount of time of time it takes to export goods from 11 days to 1day, reduces percentage of containers that are physically inspected by agencies from 90% to 25% and also reduces clearing charges, demuurage and other fees by at least 50%.

Ekunkoya technically pointed out that the project will streamline trade processes, enhance documentation, harmonization, and help to achieve pre-arrival processing, adding that the system will help to achieve 100% electronic payment and also leverage Customs Post Clearance Audit.

He said team are working assiduously to ensure that the system works by engaging relevant stakeholders and government agencies. “We have selected Crimson logic (Singapore) as the preferred technology vendor for the National Single Window solution implementation. The next step is to finalise the vendor selection process and obtain FEC approval, he said.