Importers and clearing agents have raised concerns over rising demurrage charges at Nigerian seaports blaming delays linked to the National Single Window NSW platform for prolonged cargo clearance processes.
The National President of the National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents NCMDLCA Lucky Amiwero said some importers now pay up to N100000 daily in demurrage charges to shipping companies and terminal operators while waiting for approvals from regulatory agencies.
Speaking on the issue Amiwero described the National Single Window platform as ineffective arguing that it has complicated port operations instead of simplifying them.
According to him delays from agencies such as the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control NAFDAC and the Standards Organisation of Nigeria SON have worsened congestion at the ports and increased the cost of doing business in Nigeria.
Amiwero explained that the current structure of the National Single Window does not reflect the globally accepted model of a true single window system. He stated that importers still have to deal separately with agencies like NAFDAC and SON despite the introduction of the platform.
He added that many consignments remain trapped at port terminals for weeks due to slow approvals and documentation processing causing huge financial losses for importers and business owners.
The customs agent also argued that the Nigerian Revenue Service driving the initiative lacks the required expertise in customs and import operations stressing that tax administration should remain separate from customs procedures.
Responding to the concerns the Director of Communications for the National Single Window Tola Fakolade said criticisms of the platform are mainly due to resistance to stricter compliance procedures introduced under the system.
Fakolade clarified that the first phase of the National Single Window was designed to provide a unified entry point for processing documentation rather than guaranteeing one day approvals for all transactions.
He acknowledged the existence of implementation challenges especially inherited backlogs within agencies like NAFDAC but assured stakeholders that efforts are ongoing to resolve the delays and improve the efficiency of cargo clearance operations.
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