Nigeria may miss 2024 deadline for IMO maritime single window implementation

• MDAs fail to adhere to Executive Order 2017 on business transparency, efficiency at ports
Nigeria may miss the International Maritime Organization (IMO) January 1, 2024 deadline for the implementation of a Maritime Single Window (MSW) for the electronic exchange of data in ports around the world as there is still no commitment from Ministry, Department and Agencies (MDAs) to digitalise and automate port processes.

The IMO’s Facilitation Committee adopted amendments to the Facilitation (FAL) Convention to make the single window for electronic data exchange mandatory in ports around the world for ship clearance.

The amendment to the annex of the Convention also makes it mandatory for public authorities to establish, maintain and use single window systems for the electronic exchange of information required on arrival, stay and departure of ships in ports.

Also, an Executive Order on the Promotion of Transparency and Efficiency in the Business Environment was signed by Prof. Yemi Osinbajo on May 18, 2022, mandating all agencies physically present in the ports to, within 60 days, harmonise their operations into one single interface station domiciled in one location in the port and implemented by a single joint task force at all times, without prejudice to necessary backend procedures.

The Executive Order also stated that the new single interface station at each port shall capture, track and record information on all goods arriving and departing from Nigeria and remit captured information to the head of the MDAs and the National Bureau of Statistics on a weekly basis.

The Executive Order also mandated Apapa port to resume 24-hour operations within 30 days of the issuance of the Order.

However, six years after, the Executive Order is yet to be implemented at the nation’s seaports by the agencies following lack of corporate and several other bottlenecks hindering the effective implementation.

Stakeholders in the maritime sector highlighted political will, legal framework and basic technological skills as core issues that must be addressed for Nigeria to embrace the maritime single window system.

Speaking at the Nigerian Chamber of Shipping (NCS) October 2023 virtual breakfast meeting last week, they noted that the MSW regime would make the nation’s seaports more efficient and competitive.

The breakfast meeting had the theme: “Maritime Single Window: Navigating Path to Efficiency and Competence.”

The Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Mohammed Bello-Koko, noted that a robust implementation of the MSW would put the country’s maritime sector at the forefront of regional and continental trade.

Bello-Koko who was represented by the Port Manager, Lagos Port Complex, Charles Okaga, lamented that Nigeria still struggles with 21 days cargo dwell time at the ports, whereas the cargo dwell time in Togo and Cotonou is just three days where port automation is in full gear.

The NPA boss revealed that when Benin Republic implemented its National Single Window, the nation increased the revenue generation at its ports by more than 35 per cent.

Bello-Koko said Nigeria has to look beyond the maritime operators for other service providers whose operations affect port operations, while highlighting power supply, internet facilities, roads, railway, among others.

He said the government must provide the needed infrastructure to support the MSW system, adding that its implementation would create a significant leap in the country’s ranking on the global index of Ease of Doing Business.

Also speaking, the Comptroller-General of NCS, Adewale Adeniyi, said the MSW system goes beyond electronic data exchange, but also borders on ambience of maritime environment.

Adeniyi, who was represented by the Area Controller, Tin Can Island Port, Comptroller Dera Nnadi, argued that MSW should be considered more as an opportunity to embrace more stakeholders in existing digital platforms, even as he encouraged port sector regulators to stick to service delivery rather than revenue generation.

“If Nigeria is going to embrace MSW, we should be able to separate trade facilitation from revenue generation either via legislation or by implementation of already existing laws. If one agency gets it right and there is a delay in another, it affects the entire logistics chain. Most agencies are regulatory agencies for service delivery but they seem to dwell more on revenue and this is problematic. There is also the problem of mistrust as it affects who should host the MSW,” Adeniyi said.

Adeniyi noted that in adopting the MSW system, Nigeria must take cognisance of peculiarity in port administration, noting that it must also adopt a system that suits its environment due to mistrust and limited capacity.

The Director, Consumer Affairs, Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Cajetan Agu, said the time has come for the industry stakeholders and operators to set aside their automation in silos for an integrated and synergised single window.

Agu hinted that port automation has improved in the nation with most shipping companies and terminals achieving over 80 per cent automation and Customs leading with digital processes, while calling for an integration of existing processes.

The President, NCS, Aminu Umar, in his opening remark called for the active participation of all stakeholders in the industry for successful implementation of the MSW system.

Umar said the MSW would facilitate seamless operations, ensure a transparent maritime environment, foster customs clearance and increase the country’s competitiveness in global trade.