PTML Customs Calls for Full Compliance with National Single Window
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), PTML Area Command, has urged trade stakeholders to fully comply with the operational guidelines of the National Single Window (NSW).
The call was made during a three-day sensitisation programme organised in collaboration with the National Single Window Project Secretariat.
Sensitisation Programme Targets Trade Stakeholders
The awareness campaign aims to:
- Strengthen stakeholder understanding of the NSW platform
- Address knowledge gaps in system usage
- Promote efficient and transparent trade processes
Participants included key actors across the trade value chain such as customs agents, freight forwarders, and importers.
National Single Window Described as Critical Initiative
Speaking at the event, the Customs Area Controller of PTML Command, Joe Anani, described the National Single Window as a strategic national project requiring collective cooperation.
“This is not just a single window for one agency; it is a national project,” he stated.
He emphasized that compliance with established procedures is essential to maintaining the system’s integrity.
Enforcement Measures in Place
Comptroller Anani disclosed that enforcement mechanisms have already been introduced to:
- Prevent misuse of the platform
- Ensure adherence to operational standards
- Protect the integrity of digital trade processes
He encouraged stakeholders to actively engage with the platform, explore its features, and seek clarification where necessary.
Digital Platform to Simplify Trade Processes
Also speaking, Christopher Fanyam, Comptroller of the ICT/Modernisation Unit, highlighted the importance of continuous sensitisation after the platform’s launch.
He explained that the NSW platform enables traders to process approvals from multiple agencies through a single digital interface, including:
- National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC)
- Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON)
This integration significantly reduces bureaucracy and improves efficiency.
Focus on Practical Training and System Use
The sensitisation sessions include hands-on training on:
- Portal access and user onboarding
- Navigation of platform features
- Proper documentation procedures
These efforts are designed to ensure seamless adoption across the trade ecosystem.
Boosting Trade Efficiency and Ease of Doing Business
The programme is part of broader efforts by the National Single Window Project Secretariat to:
- Improve trade efficiency
- Reduce cargo clearance delays
- Enhance transparency
- Strengthen Nigeria’s ease of doing business ranking
The PTML Customs Command’s push for compliance highlights the importance of stakeholder cooperation in the successful implementation of the National Single Window platform.
As Nigeria continues its transition to digital trade systems, adherence to guidelines will be key to unlocking efficiency, transparency, and global competitiveness.
