News

Shippers’ Council Pledge Support for National Single Window

Published

11 months ago

July 20, 2024

BY GBOGBOWA GBOWA

The Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC) has expressed its readiness to support the National Single Window (NSW) Steering Committee to promote effective operationalization of the platform in the country.

The Executive Secretary/ CEO of the Council, Barr.Pius Akutah, MON disclosed this on Thursday when the Steering Committee of the National Single Window team visited him at the Council’s headquarters, Lagos.

While appreciating the committee for the visit, Akutah called on all relevant sister agencies involved in the project to embrace automation to aid their respective operational processes.

He said that” Automation is one of the key elements we have to pursue as agencies and ensure we automate our processes as quick as possible”.

Akutah expressed optimistism that the implementation of the National Single Window would be of great benefit for all relevant stakeholders including the Council, regulatory agencies and the port industry, generally.

Speaking further, he reassured of the Federal Government’s commitment to diversification to the non- oil sector, adding that NSW is one of the structures that will help to meet the aspirations of the Marine and Blue Economy.

The Council’s boss informed the team that the Agency is planning to go paperless to aid operational activities, while also awaiting its new bill to optimally carry out its regulatory activities.

With the passage of the law, Akutah said NSC will work round the clock to transform the sector to a regional maritime hub with efficiency and effective service delivery.

He reiterated the need to address inter- agencies rivalry and uphold peaceful co- existence in maritime operations.

Earlier , Head of Project Secretariat for the National Single Window Steering Committee, Mr.Tola Fakolade called on stakeholders and agencies support to meet the Federal government’s aspirations of having the project operation in Nigeria.

The Head of Project Secretariat for the National Single Window Steering Committee, while briefing the management team of the Council about their mission , said that the NSC’s buy- in was key in actualizing the National Single Window project.

The team leader, who made a presentation on the project also gave the benefits of the NSW project which includes enhancement of government revenue, increased foreign investment, increased trade volumes and improved automation processes.

It would be recalled that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu inaugurated the National Steering Committee to ensure the implementation of National Single Window (NSW) in the country.