Listen to story here
The Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Nigerian Revenue Service (NRS), and the National Single Window (NSW) Committee have engaged terminal operators and shipping companies to secure relief for importers affected by cargo delays linked to the ongoing system migration at Nigerian ports.
At the stakeholders’ meeting on Friday, regulators appealed for concessions on mounting demurrage and detention charges caused by the transition from legacy platforms operated by Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to the NSW platform.
NRS Chairman, Zach Adedeji, said the engagement was aimed at cushioning the impact of temporary disruptions on importers. He noted that terminal operators had, in the past, granted waivers under similar circumstances and urged them to extend similar support during the transition phase.
He described the disruptions as short-term integration issues, expressing confidence that the glitches would be resolved within days. Adedeji stressed that the government’s priority was not revenue generation but economic stability and shared prosperity, while warning that actors exploiting inefficiencies in the old system would face sanctions.
Feedback from operators was largely positive, with many indicating a willingness to review affected cases individually rather than grant blanket waivers. They confirmed the existence of internal mechanisms for granting discounts where delays are directly traceable to the migration process.
NSC Executive Secretary, Pius Akutah, said the meeting followed the NSW go-live on March 27 and was aimed at addressing early-stage implementation challenges. He added that efforts are underway to replace the outdated Shippers’ Council Act with a new legal framework to strengthen port economic regulation.
Industry operators expressed cautious support. Chairperson of the Shipping Association of Nigeria, Boma Alabi, said shipping firms were aligned with government objectives on efficiency and cost reduction but stressed the need for clarity on timelines for resolving system issues.
Managing Director of Lagos and Niger Shipping Agency (LANSA), Todd Reaves, described the NSW as one of the most significant reforms in decades, while PTML Terminal General Manager, Tunde Keshinro, cautioned against indiscriminate waivers, warning that some importers exploit delays to abandon cargoes.
NSW Committee Chairman, Tola Fakolade, maintained that port operations remain stable, noting that ongoing engagements are aimed at aligning all stakeholders and minimising disruption during the transition.
