By Sunday Etuka, Abuja
President Bola Tinubu has inaugurated a steering committee to drive an initiative called the National Single Window Project (NSWP).
This was done to achieve optimisation of revenue generation and enhance ease of doing business in the country,
Speaking while inaugurating the committee at the Presidential Villa, President Tinubu said, the initiative is targeted at eliminating all forms of impediments to trade in the country as well as improve Nigeria’s rating in World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business Index.
Describing the project, which is domiciled at the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) as another milestone for his administration, the President noted that the project will lead to the inflow of foreign direct investments into the country through the removal of trade barriers to import and export businesses.
The National Single Window is an electronic portal that links all agencies and players in import and export processes to an integrated platform.
Membership of the Presidential Steering Committee for the project is drawn from the Nigeria Customs, Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA), Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON), and key private sector players such as exporters, importers, shipping lines, freight forwarders, banks, and clearing agents.
“Our import and export processes are bureaucratic which leads to long lead times in our ports. Such inefficiencies have adverse impacts on local businesses in the country and serve as potential impediment for foreign direct investments. To eliminate these challenges, today we are launching the National Single Window Project.
“The National Single Window Project is intended to enhance revenue generation through imports and exports and accelerate economic activities in the country.
“This project is a bold initiative to simplify and streamline our import and export clearance processes by eliminating bottlenecks, and harnessing best-in-class technology. This will result in reduced costs of doing business and position us to attract more foreign investment.
“The National Single Window Project will consist of four key pillars, namely Single Window for Imports, Single Window for Exports, Port Community System and Scanning Services across our sea, air and land borders.
“The Project is not merely a technological advancement but a strategic initiative to increase revenue generation by consolidating import and export related procedures into a unified electronic platform.
“The platform will serve as a single portal for the submission and approval of all import and export related documents, as well as a centralized payment system. This platform will be integrated with the various systems in the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) involved in the import and export processes.
“The National Single Window Project is a top priority for this Administration, as a result I am directing all relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies working on similar systems or information technology implementation projects to stop doing so in silos but align and consolidate such projects under the National Single Window Project’s scope.
“Today, I am also inaugurating the National Single Window Project Steering Committee. The primary objectives of the Steering Committee are to provide support, oversight, strategic direction, and guidance to ensure the effective implementation of the project.
“You are entrusted with the responsibility of aligning this project with this Government’s revenue enhancement objectives, setting the stage for a more efficient and responsive economy.
“I expect nothing short of excellence from this committee. You are the driving force behind the success of this crucial project, and your commitment and dedication will determine its outcome.
“Our collective effort will shape this project and play a key role in shaping the future of trade and commerce in Nigeria. I urge you to approach this task with a sense of purpose, unity, and a shared commitment for the betterment of our nation,” Tinubu said.
