As part of efforts to ensure the National Single Window (NSW) project delivers the much-desired efficiency at the nation’s seaports, the Nigerian Ports Consultative Council (NPCC) has recommended periodic audits and outlined key performance indicators (KPIs).

 

The NPCC also proposed a workable spectrum of processes with specific solutions capable of driving the NSW by leveraging data and maintaining a strong feedback mechanism.

 

NPCC gave its proposition during a just-concluded NSW summit convened by the Hon. Minister for Marine and Blue economy, Adegboyega Oyetola in Lagos.

 

The NPCC team led by its chairman, Mr. Bolaji Sunmola, and the vice chairperson, Mrs. Jean Chiazor Anishere, SAN, said that the assurance of achieving set objectives and goals of the NSW should be premised on evaluable factors.

 

Some of these factors, according to the NPCC team, include “Developing key performance indicators (KPIs), such as clearance time, transaction costs, and volume of processed cargo, to assess system impact. Conducting periodic audit to evaluate the system’s compliance with international standards and its alignment with the goals of transparency and efficiency.”

 

It is also sought the establishment of communication channels for stakeholders to provide feedback on system performance and report challenges or inefficiencies.

 

A great deal of the foundation for a workable single window system would involve “Using data from the monitoring mechanisms to identify areas for improvement and upgrade the system as needed.  Partnering with independent third-party organizations to conduct objective evaluations of the system’s impact,” the NPCC submitted.

 

The NPCC team also proposed the importance and need for stakeholders involvement in the planning and implementation of projects to address their concerns, just as it would be important to clearly communicate the benefits of the system to the stakeholders and giving them a sense of inclusion. This should cover issues on costs, time-savings as well as improved competitiveness, ensuring data protection measures.

 

Other very important positions proposed by the NPCC team regarding competitiveness of the Nigerian Ports are the need for streamlining processes by reducing bureaucratic bottlenecks. This, they said, is achievable by integrating all port-related procedures and documentation into a single platform, to reduce clearance time.

 

Badagry Chambers boss thumbs up MARAN, canvasses objective reporting

 

President of the Badagry Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines & Agriculture, Retired Deputy Comptroller of Customs, DC Yahaya Idris, has hailed the consistency of the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN) in objective reporting of the Maritime Industry.

 

Idris who had an interactive session with the executive members of the association over the weekend during the it’s retreat, said “MARAN is doing a marvellous job criticising constructively.”

 

According to him, everybody knows where MARAN belongs and appreciates the job it is doing.

 

The Retired Deputy Comptroller described MARAN as a force to reckon with.

 

He urged its members to toe the path of ‘just’ reporting and avoid fake news which he said could drag the association back.

 

His words: “I won’t talk from the angle of maybe anybody should favour you. I won’t say Customs should do this for you, Immigration should do this for you. Your work is there.

 

“MARAN has been doing a marvellous job criticising constructively. So everybody will know where you belong.I know so many people are appreciating your job.

 

“So what I will want you to do is to continue consistently on what you are doing. Like you have been doing, continue with it.

 

“Nobody needs to do this or that for you. You have already established yourself as a force to be reckoned with. Report just; when you (any of your members) write fake news against somebody and it is known you’re dragging the association back.”

 

On his part, the President of MARAN, Mr. Godfrey Bivbere, thanked God for His grace that brought through in all its activities of 2024.

 

In this 2025, he stressed that MARAN will be deliberate in all its activities of the year, stating that a lot lie ahead of the Association.

 

Bivbere with a loaded plan for the foremost maritime media beat association, reiterated that he is committed to repositioning MARAN with a view to take it to heights it had never attained in the past.

 

He sought the united support of the executives and all members to make this dream a reality.