Akutah: Nigerian Shippers’ Council Remains Committed to Reforms on Fairness, Transparency, Ports Efficiency
By Francis Ugwoke
The Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) has said that it is ever committed to introducing reforms that will promote fairness, transparency and ports efficiency in the country.
This assertion was made by the Executive Secretary of the Council (NSC), Dr. Pius Akutah, in a keynote address delivered on the occasion of the Shippers’ Day Celebration held in Lagos last week by the Shippers’ Association Lagos State, SALS.
Akutah said that the Council as the Port Economic Regulator was aware of the burden of multiple, overlapping and often contradictory taxes and levies which have been imposed on shippers and others involved in logistics chain.
He said that some of these taxes distort pricing, create uncertainty as well as weaken the country’s attractiveness as a trade hub.
Akutah added that the Council supports the call for full implementation of the National Single Window, saying it remains “a unified single platform that integrates all port processes is essential for reducing delays, eliminating duplicated documentation, and curbing inefficiencies that have long hindered seamless cargo clearance.”
According to Akutah, “The National Single Window is not just a technological upgrade, it is a structural reform on how trade is conducted in Nigeria.”
The NSC CEO pointed out the concerns of stakeholders on the 4 percent Free On Board, FOB value on imported goods, adding that “the Council has already initiated engagements with relevant authorities to ensure that such policies, where necessary, are clearly evaluated, harmonized and aligned with national economic priorities.
He said, “Our position remains that any fiscal measures within the port system must support trade, not stifle it’,
Akutah was full of commendation for the Shippers’ Association Lagos State for promoting the interests of the shipping community as well as providing a platform where issues affecting the industry can be tackled.
He said, “Your advocacy continues to be a driving force for positive change. As we celebrate today, we wish to reaffirm our shared commitment to building a port system that is efficient, competitive and supportive of national growth.
“The Nigerian Shippers’ Council will continue to work closely with all stakeholders, government agencies, private operators and shippers to ensure that Nigerian ports operate on global standards of efficiency and economic regulation”.
The Comptroller General of Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, in his paper titled, “National Single Window: Simplifying Trade Processes For Nigerian Shippers”, highlighted the various modernization initiatives championed by the Service under his leadership to include Advance Ruling, Time Release Study, Authorized Economic Operator, AEO and One Stop Shop.
Adeniyi however, maintained that the National Single Window and B’Odogwu were menat to be complementary and deeply integrated components of a unified digital trade ecosystem.
Adeniyi who was represented by the Zonal Coordinator, Zone A of the Service, ACG Mohammed Babandede, said B’Odogwu remains a vehicle by the Nigeria Customs Service into the National Single Window when the unified payment platform begins next year.
Adeniyi added, “In essence, the B’Odogwu system will work hand in hand with the National Single Window. This integration aims to fully align Nigeria’s trade processes with global best practices, eliminate duplication, reduce bottlenecks, and enhance efficiency and transparency across all aspects of trade for the benefit of shippers and traders”.
The Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) has said that it is ever committed to introducing reforms that will promote fairness, transparency and ports efficiency in the country.
This assertion was made by the Executive Secretary of the Council (NSC), Dr. Pius Akutah, in a keynote address delivered on the occasion of the Shippers’ Day Celebration held in Lagos last week by the Shippers’ Association Lagos State, SALS.
Akutah said that the Council as the Port Economic Regulator was aware of the burden of multiple, overlapping and often contradictory taxes and levies which have been imposed on shippers and others involved in logistics chain.
He said that some of these taxes distort pricing, create uncertainty as well as weaken the country’s attractiveness as a trade hub.
Akutah added that the Council supports the call for full implementation of the National Single Window, saying it remains “a unified single platform that integrates all port processes is essential for reducing delays, eliminating duplicated documentation, and curbing inefficiencies that have long hindered seamless cargo clearance.”
According to Akutah, “The National Single Window is not just a technological upgrade, it is a structural reform on how trade is conducted in Nigeria.”
The NSC CEO pointed out the concerns of stakeholders on the 4 percent Free On Board, FOB value on imported goods, adding that “the Council has already initiated engagements with relevant authorities to ensure that such policies, where necessary, are clearly evaluated, harmonized and aligned with national economic priorities.
He said, “Our position remains that any fiscal measures within the port system must support trade, not stifle it’,
Akutah was full of commendation for the Shippers’ Association Lagos State for promoting the interests of the shipping community as well as providing a platform where issues affecting the industry can be tackled.
He said, “Your advocacy continues to be a driving force for positive change. As we celebrate today, we wish to reaffirm our shared commitment to building a port system that is efficient, competitive and supportive of national growth.
“The Nigerian Shippers’ Council will continue to work closely with all stakeholders, government agencies, private operators and shippers to ensure that Nigerian ports operate on global standards of efficiency and economic regulation”.
The Comptroller General of Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, in his paper titled, “National Single Window: Simplifying Trade Processes For Nigerian Shippers”, highlighted the various modernization initiatives championed by the Service under his leadership to include Advance Ruling, Time Release Study, Authorized Economic Operator, AEO and One Stop Shop.
Adeniyi however, maintained that the National Single Window and B’Odogwu were menat to be complementary and deeply integrated components of a unified digital trade ecosystem.
Adeniyi who was represented by the Zonal Coordinator, Zone A of the Service, ACG Mohammed Babandede, said B’Odogwu remains a vehicle by the Nigeria Customs Service into the National Single Window when the unified payment platform begins next year.
Adeniyi added, “In essence, the B’Odogwu system will work hand in hand with the National Single Window. This integration aims to fully align Nigeria’s trade processes with global best practices, eliminate duplication, reduce bottlenecks, and enhance efficiency and transparency across all aspects of trade for the benefit of shippers and traders”.
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