The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has called for clear guidelines to be established for manufacturers, importers, and exporters ahead of the National Single Window Project’s implementation in Nigeria.
Speaking with Newsmen on the sideline at the recently concluded National Single Window Stakeholders Conference at the Marriott Hotel in Ikeja, Lagos, Mrs. Adebukola Akanmu, Regulatory Affairs and Compliance Manager at FrieslandCampina Nigeria PLC, makers of Peak and Three Crowns milk, and a member of MAN’s Food Sectoral Group, emphasized the importance of having solid guidelines in place. She warned that without clear regulations, chaos could ensue.
Akanmu stressed the need for well-defined processes that would guide all players in the international trade value chain. “While the government has expectations of manufacturers, importers, and exporters, businesses also have their own expectations from the government,” she explained.
She further noted that the trade portal for the Single Window Project should ensure transparency in submitting trade documents, which is crucial for its success.
She said: “We need to engage in a transparent manner to enhance the ease of doing business. Clear guidelines are essential, outlining the expectations of all parties involved.
“The goal of the Single Window Project is to ensure that business is conducted transparently and properly, and that everyone understands the guidelines before moving into more specific processes.”
Reacting to these concerns, Mr. Tola Fakolade, Director of the National Single Window Project and Head of Secretariat, assured that comprehensive guidelines would be introduced for all stakeholders. He added that before the guidelines are rolled out, extensive training would be conducted for everyone involved in the international trade process.
“There will absolutely be guidelines and training manuals. We’ll have general guidelines for common processes, and then specific guidelines for particular functions and product categories. Some commodities undergo different procedures, so what applies to pharmaceuticals may differ from what’s needed for luxury goods,” Fakolade said.
He emphasized that the guidelines would be thorough, addressing the needs of everyone in the value chain, from licensed customs agents to importers and exporters. The guidelines and training are expected to be finalized by the second half of this year.
