ABUJA, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- The Nigerian Shippers Council and the Nigeria Revenue Service have called on shipping companies and terminal operators to grant waivers to importers and clearing agents affected by delays arising from the implementation of the National Single Window at the country’s seaports.
This was disclosed in a statement issued on Friday, which noted that the appeal was made during a stakeholders engagement held at the NSC headquarters in Lagos.
The meeting brought together representatives of the council, NRS, the NSW Secretariat, terminal operators, and shipping companies to assess the progress and challenges associated with the newly introduced system.
Speaking at the event, the Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the NSC, Dr Pius Akutah, acknowledged that although the NSW initiative represents a major milestone for the maritime sector, “its rollout has been accompanied by initial operational challenges impacting cargo clearance timelines.”
He explained that the system, which became operational on March 27, is a long-anticipated reform aimed at streamlining port operations, boosting transparency, and improving efficiency across the industry.
READ ALSO: Customs Agents Raise Alarm Over National Single Window Rollout
“The NSW is a significant development that has brought optimism to stakeholders. However, like any major reform, it comes with teething problems that must be collectively addressed to ensure seamless implementation,” Akutah said.
Akutah further noted that the engagement was convened at the instance of the NSW Secretariat to evaluate ongoing implementation efforts and identify practical solutions to emerging bottlenecks, particularly those affecting cargo movement and clearance.
“We now know that things are gradually taking shape, and it’s for the benefit of all of us. We are here to look at the implementation and some of the challenges that have arisen that we need to tackle together as a family to ensure that we move on smoothly with the implementation stage,” he stated.
He emphasised the importance of collaboration among stakeholders, describing the port ecosystem as a family that must work together to overcome transitional challenges and sustain the gains of the reform.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service, Dr Zach Adedeji, urged shipping firms and terminal operators to demonstrate understanding by “granting waivers on demurrage and storage charges incurred during the delay period.”
Adedeji said such measures would help ease the financial burden on importers and clearing agents affected by system-related disruptions beyond their control.
“Anywhere in the world, when there are changes, there are hitches, and when there are things not part of business, people discuss solutions, and I want us to work together to resolve them. There have been some single window-induced delays, and that has led to delays in the clearance of cargoes. That is why we are here to seek your support. While we are passing through this initial stage, we can get your support,” he stated.
According to him, shipping companies and terminal operators have indicated that if the delays are genuinely linked to the single window system,
“they have an internal process of discounting, giving the waiver, and beyond that, they are there to support us on all that is needed to make this programme a successful program, because they all see the benefits of that.”
He added that new policies and initiatives often come with initial challenges, which informed the need for the engagement with industry stakeholders.
In response, shipping companies noted that while the NSW is a beneficial national project, it should not encourage inefficiency.
READ ALSO: Nigeria Customs Service Proposes Single Document for Cargo Clearance
Speaking, the General Manager of Port and Terminal Multi-Services Limited, Tunde Keshinro, said efficient importers exist and that only cases with genuine need for waivers would be considered.
“It’s a national project that will benefit everyone. There are importers that are efficient, and those with genuine needs would be attended to, and we shouldn’t encourage inefficiencies,” he said.
Stakeholders at the meeting acknowledged the long-term benefits of the NSW initiative but raised concerns about delays and technical challenges that have slowed cargo clearance since its rollout.
The NSW is designed to function as a unified digital platform for processing trade documentation, reducing human interaction, lowering costs, and improving Nigeria’s ease of doing business.
Despite the current setbacks, stakeholders expressed confidence that with continued collaboration, system improvements, and temporary relief measures such as waivers, the initiative will ultimately deliver lasting benefits to the maritime sector and the broader economy.