The Nigerian Shippers’ Council and the Nigeria Revenue Service have urged shipping companies and terminal operators to grant waivers to importers and clearing agents affected by delays linked to the rollout of the National Single Window at the country’s seaports.
The appeal was made during a stakeholders’ meeting at the council’s headquarters in Lagos, where representatives of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Nigeria Revenue Service, National Single Window Secretariat, terminal operators and shipping companies reviewed progress and challenges associated with the new system.
The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Akutah Pius, said the initiative, which went live March 27, marks a major reform aimed at streamlining port processes, improving transparency and boosting efficiency. He acknowledged, however, that initial operational challenges have affected cargo clearance timelines.
He said the meeting was convened to assess implementation and address emerging bottlenecks, particularly those affecting cargo movement. He emphasized the need for collaboration among stakeholders to ensure a smooth transition.
The Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service, Zach Adedeji, called on shipping companies and terminal operators to grant waivers on demurrage and storage charges incurred during the disruption period.
Adedeji said the measure would help ease the financial burden on importers and clearing agents affected by delays beyond their control. He noted that stakeholders had agreed that where delays are directly linked to the National Single Window, operators could apply internal processes to grant discounts or waivers.
He also urged concessionaires and terminal operators to accelerate automation of their operations to ensure seamless integration with the platform, describing digital alignment as critical to achieving efficiency gains.
Industry stakeholders at the meeting acknowledged the long-term benefits of the National Single Window but raised concerns about technical issues and delays that have slowed cargo clearance since its introduction.
The platform is designed to serve as a unified digital system for processing trade documentation, reducing human interaction, cutting costs and improving the ease of doing business.
Despite current challenges, participants expressed confidence that continued collaboration, system improvements and temporary relief measures would help deliver the intended benefits to the maritime sector and the broader economy.
Speaking for operators, the General Manager of Port and Terminal Multi-Services Ltd., Tunde Keshinro, said the initiative would benefit stakeholders but cautioned against encouraging inefficiency. He added that only cases with genuine need would be considered for waivers.
