By Abbas Nazil
The federal government has unveiled plans to implement the National Single Window (NSW) system to significantly reduce the cost of doing business at the nation’s ports.
This initiative, announced by the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola, aims to streamline operations, enhance transparency, and minimize delays, aligning with global best practices in trade facilitation.
The goal is to boost economic efficiency and ease the process of trade in the country.
According to the minister, the implementation of the NSW system will not only lower operational costs but also enhance the overall ease of doing business by integrating and simplifying port activities.
The initiative is expected to strengthen Nigeria’s trade infrastructure, making the ports more competitive in the global market.
Furthermore, the government is prioritizing multimodal connectivity, which will improve the transportation network and reduce logistics costs, thereby bolstering trade efficiency.
In a move led by the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy through the Nigerian Ports Authority, the NSW will operate alongside the Port Community System to create a seamless and integrated trade environment.
Alhaji Oyetola emphasized that this decision demonstrates the government’s commitment to modernizing trade processes, optimizing the nation’s marine resources, and ensuring Nigeria remains competitive in global trade.
The Managing Director of Nigerian Ports, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, highlighted that the NSW system connects all stakeholders involved in international trade, enabling them to perform their operations on a single platform.
By providing a comprehensive online environment, the system will serve users across various sectors, including importers, exporters, commercial banks, carriers, customs officials, and government agencies.
This centralized approach facilitates the electronic exchange of information, which is crucial for efficient trade operations.
Dr. Dantsoho noted that the NSW system aligns with global standards, managing the exchange of data for over 500 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) and billions of tonnes of cargo across sea, air, and land transport modes worldwide.
The implementation of this system under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu marks a transformative step in Nigeria’s trade policy, aimed at increasing the competitiveness of the country’s ports.
The initiative is expected to yield significant economic benefits, including reduced costs, improved operational efficiency, and enhanced transparency.