National Single Window Project Meets with Freight Forwarders To Enhance Trade Facilitation
National Single Window Project Meets with Freight Forwarders To Enhance Trade Facilitation
…….. Seeks partnership with NAGAFF
L- R Director,Single Window project,Mr.Tola Fakolade,plotting the success of Single Window project with NAGAFF National President ,High Chief Tochukwu Ezisi, during the meeting with the NSW team at NAGAFF Headquarters in Apapa, Lagos
By Frank Odinukaeze
In an effort to streamline the import and export processes in Nigeria, the National Single Window Project team, led by its director, Tola Fakolade, held a crucial meeting with the leadership of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF),even as the NSW project team,sought partnership with NAGAFF.
The purpose of the meeting was to engage with key stakeholders and ensure their support and participation in the implementation of the Single Window Platform.
During the meeting, Fakolade emphasized the importance of collaborating with freight forwarders, who are integral to the success of the National Single Window Project.
“Freight forwarders are key partners in our project team, and we will continue to engage with all their members across the country,” said Fakolade. He highlighted the team’s commitment to educating stakeholders about the project’s benefits and its potential to transform Nigeria’s trade facilitation landscape.
Fakolade outlined the numerous benefits of the National Single Window Platform, which aims to simplify and improve import and export processes. By reducing bureaucratic hurdles, the Single Window is expected to increase revenue for the country, attract foreign direct investment, and expedite the clearance of goods from ports. “Overall, the Single Window will simplify import and export processes, leading to faster clearance of goods and increased revenue for the country,” Fakolade explained.
Addressing potential challenges, Fakolade acknowledged past attempts to implement the Single Window and the difficulties in aligning stakeholders. He stressed the importance of continuous engagement with all key players to ensure successful implementation. “We are here today to work with freight forwarders, who are major stakeholders in the Single Window implementation,” Fakolade noted.
The meeting also provided an opportunity for freight forwarders to raise their concerns and questions. Fakolade assured them that their input would be taken seriously and addressed promptly. “We will continue to address some of the questions and get back to them through the leadership of NAGAFF on the ones we couldn’t address today,” he said.
The National Single Window Project team’s engagement with NAGAFF marks a significant step towards enhancing trade facilitation in Nigeria. By fostering collaboration and ensuring stakeholder alignment, the project aims to create a more efficient and business-friendly environment for the country’s import and export sectors.
Meanwhile,High Chief Tochukwu Ezisi, president of (NAGAFF), Speaking in an interview with news stated that ,”The primary objective of the gathering was to educate NAGAFF members about the National Single Window, a platform aimed at enhancing the efficiency of Nigeria’s import and export processes”.
He said the meeting served as an educational forum where representatives of the National Single Window Project explained the platform’s functionalities and benefits. “The purpose of this meeting is to educate NAGAFF members on what the Single Window is all about,” stated Ezisi. He added that the platform aims to consolidate all government agencies involved in the import and export processes, simplifying procedures and improving efficiency.
High Chief Tochukwu Ezisi elaborated on the purpose of the Single Window, highlighting its role in centralizing declarations across various government agencies, including Customs, SON, and NAFDAC. “The essence of the Single Window is to bring all agencies together on one platform,” Ezisi explained. This integration is expected to facilitate a seamless clearing process, reducing redundancy and expediting operations.
The meeting also addressed several concerns raised by freight forwarders, particularly regarding network issues and testing times, which have historically impacted the declaration process. “Network problems and the time it takes to test the system are major challenges,” Ezisi noted. He emphasized that these issues need to be resolved to ensure the smooth implementation of the Single Window.
On their Own,Freight forwarders expressed serious concerns about demurrage charges arising from network problems and delays in the clearing process. “This is a serious issue because the National Single Window is government-initiated, but the ports are operated by private entities,” Ezisi remarked. He stressed the need for accountability and a system that prevents lapses from affecting stakeholders unfairly.Qq
Members of the National Single Window Team(NSW)
In response to a question about The single Window’s capacity to handle illicit consignments, Ezisi underscored the importance of honest declarations. “The Single Window will be seamless only if we do honest declarations. Illicit consignments are not honest,” he asserted. Ezisi’s statement highlights the critical role of transparency and integrity in the success of the platform.
The meeting concluded with a commitment to address the concerns raised and continue the dialogue between the National Single Window Project team and freight forwarders. This engagement is seen as a crucial step towards creating a more efficient and transparent trade facilitation environment in Nigeria.
