Nigerian Ports Authority Advances Towards Single Window Implementation with Port Community System Report Submission

The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has officially received the consultant’s report for the Nigerian Port Community System (PCS) implementation from the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and the International Port Community Systems Association (IPCSA).

The primary goal of the PCS is to ensure Nigeria’s compliance with the Convention on Facilitation of International Maritime Traffic (FAL) of the International Maritime Organization (IMO). The FAL Convention aims to prevent unnecessary delays in maritime traffic, enhance cooperation between governments, and achieve a high degree of uniformity in formalities and procedures.

The FAL Convention, established in April 2019, mandates ships and ports to electronically exchange FAL declarations in preparation for the enforcement of the single-window approach in 2024.

During the event, Minister Oyetola expressed his satisfaction with the milestone achieved in implementing the PCS. He commended the current management of the Nigerian Ports Authority, led by Mohammed Bello Koko, for their dedication and vision in seeking technical guidance from the IMO. He also highlighted the inclusion of the PCS implementation as a Key Performance Indicator for the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy under the Presidential Performance Bond signed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR.

The submission of the consultant’s report marks the culmination of the collaboration between the NPA and the IMO, which provided technical guidance for this achievement.

Managing Director/CEO of the NPA, Mohammed Bello Koko, emphasized the importance of automation in making Nigerian ports competitive. He highlighted the operational benefits of the PCS, which eliminates human interface and delays, thereby enhancing port efficiency. He noted the collaboration with the IMO for technical guidance and the engagement of the International Port Community Systems Association (IPCSA) for consultancy services.

Koko assured the Minister of the NPA’s commitment to implementing this project diligently, ensuring its success as a project of national importance.

The recent developments, including securing the buy-in of the Comptroller-General of Nigerian Customs, Mr. Adewale Bashir Adeniyi MFR, signal positive prospects for business and trade facilitation in Nigeria.

PM News