Maroc - VERACITY.COM.NG - A La Une - 05/Mar 09:47

Nigeria to launch National Single Window platform March 27

The Federal Government has announced plans to launch the National Single Window platform on March 27 as part of efforts to transform Nigeria’s trade ecosystem and improve the efficiency of import and export processes.The Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, disclosed this during a stakeholders’ meeting held at the State House Abuja, which was attended by ministers, heads of government agencies and other key officials.Gbajabiamila described the initiative as a major fiscal reform of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, noting that the platform would significantly streamline trade procedures and boost Nigeria’s competitiveness in global commerce.He said the project, first unveiled by the President nearly two years ago, represents a far-reaching step toward modernising Nigeria’s trade facilitation system.“We are about to launch yet another reform, fiscal reform by this administration, which in its nature will be very transformational.“As the name suggests, it is a single national window as opposed to multiple single windows.“This meeting is to review the progress we have made and get your commitment that we will manage this transition smoothly,” he said.Gbajabiamila also commended agencies involved in the project, including the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Nigeria Revenue Service and the Nigeria Customs Service, for their dedication and professionalism.Earlier in his presentation, the National Single Window Coordinator, Tola Fakolade, urged relevant agencies to intensify their support ahead of the platform’s launch.He explained that the first phase of the initiative would allow online processing of import permits, electronic submission of cargo manifests and the deployment of a centralised risk management system.Fakolade added that nationwide user training is already ongoing, while pilot testing would soon commence to ensure a seamless rollout.According to him, cargo manifests will be submitted electronically and automatically transmitted to relevant agencies without human intervention.“The support that we need from each of the agencies is even more critical now. Documents will be submitted once and shared with all relevant agencies without duplication,” he said.Also speaking at the meeting, the Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, reaffirmed the commitment of the ministry to the successful implementation of the project.“This is a growth-enhancing and growth-enabling project. What is required of the Ministry of Finance, we will definitely do,” he said.Similarly, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole, described the initiative as a key component of the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda, stressing that the ministry would work closely with relevant agencies to sensitise traders, importers and exporters ahead of the launch.The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Olayemi Cardoso, also pledged the bank’s full support, noting the need to bridge Nigeria’s trade facilitation gap with other countries.In the same vein, the Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service, Zacch Adedeji, called for stronger coordination and political will, suggesting that the Minister of Trade should lead the final implementation phase to ensure effective delivery.The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adeniyi, described the project as a historic milestone, stressing the need for sustained engagement with stakeholders to guarantee its success.At the end of the meeting, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment was mandated to coordinate the implementation phase to ensure a smooth launch of the platform on March 27.Agencies represented at the meeting included the Standards Organisation of Nigeria, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, Nigerian Ports Authority, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service and the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency.The statement announcing the development was issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.