Shippers’ Council Seeks Stakeholders Collaboration on Single Window Efficiency

Samuel Mobolaji

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

The executive secretary of the Council, Barr.Pius Akutah, disclosed this over the weekend when the Steering Committee of the NSW team paid a working visit to the headquarters of the agency.

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

The executive secretary noted 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 optimism that the implementation of the National Single Window would be of great  benefit for the Council and the port Industry respectively.

He also affirmed 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 & Blue Economy.

The Council’s boss  told the team that the Council is planning to go paperless to aid operational activities.

He also  told his guests that the NCS is awaiting  its new bill to optimally carry out its regulatory activities.

With the passage of the law,  Barr. Akutah Pius 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 lead,  who  made a presentation  on the project also gave the benefits of the NSW project which includes enhancement of government revenue, Increase foreign investment, increase 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.