Sam Ikeotuonye 01 February 2017, Sweetcrude, Lagos – The introduction of the much-awaited Single Window, SW, platform at the nation’s ports will make the ports competitive in the international trade network and boost trade, according to managing director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, Hadiza Bala Usman.
The NPA is currently working with the Nigerian Customs Service, NCS, to create the SW through comprehensive automation of port facilities and the introduction of Standard Operative Procedure, SOP, at the ports.
According to Usman, transparency, simplification, harmonisation and standardisation of port operations will only be achieved by embarking on the establishment of a well articulated single window system.
She said, during a visit to the Comptroller General of Customs, Hameed Ali, in Abuja that as the two key agencies driving the logistic and financial portals on behalf of the government, the NPA and Customs have the responsibility of working together to build a common industry culture around the ports to achieving the right level in trade facilitation.
“The goal of trade facilitation is to help trade across borders, import and export faster, cheaper and more predictable while ensuring its safety and security,” the NPA managing directors stated.