APM Terminals Apapa has convened a forum in Lagos bringing together importers and key regulatory agencies to address persistent cargo clearance challenges on the National Single Window (NSW) platform. The event, held at the terminal, gathered representatives from the National Single Window Project, Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), and the Joint Task Force to engage directly with customers on operational issues. Managing Director of APM Terminals Apapa, Kamal Alhraishat, said the forum was designed to create an open space for importers to voice concerns and collaborate on practical solutions.
Government Relations Manager at APM Terminals Apapa, Olayinka Akinlade, stated the engagement underscores the company's ongoing effort to support efficient trade by linking importers with agencies handling documentation processing. She attributed many current delays to the transitional phase of NSW implementation, emphasizing that continuous dialogue is critical for smoother operations. Peter Ekunkoya, Director of Operations at the National Single Window, acknowledged early challenges including resistance to change, payment issues, and user adaptation, but affirmed the platform is improving. He urged stakeholders to keep providing feedback to aid system refinements.
NAFDAC Deputy Director Ayankop Ayankop described the rollout as a learning process, confirming the agency has resolved most initial technical problems and is seeing steady progress. Iliya Shall, Chief Standards Officer at SON, pointed to incorrect documentation, poor awareness, and misuse of Harmonised System (HS) Codes as major contributors to clearance delays. The forum allowed importers to raise specific concerns around permit processing, regulatory overlaps, and documentation errors, with agencies offering clarifications and committing to further adjustments.
Kamal Alhraishat hosts a forum demanding transparency from agencies while his company profits from port operations affected by the same delays. Importers face penalties for documentation errors that persist despite agencies knowing the causes for months. APM Terminals benefits from cargo volume regardless of clearance speed, creating a disconnect between its problem-solving rhetoric and financial reality.
Editorial note: AI-assisted opinion, not established fact. Full disclaimer →
