By Stella Odueme
The Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS) has pledged its
support for the National Single Window (NSW) Project, which aims to streamline port clearing processes and drive economic growth as part of
the government’s efforts to improve trade facilitation, enhance federal
revenue, and bolster national security at Nigeria’s borders.
This pledge was made by the Comptroller General of NAQS, Dr. Vincent
Isegbe, during a working visit from the Head of the Secretariat and
members of the Project Management Office of the National Single Window
at the NAQS headquarters in Abuja.
In their remarks, Mr. Tola Fakolade, Head of the Project Secretariat for
the NSW, and Mr. Pius O. Anyiador, project co-lead, outlined the
objectives of the visit and highlighted NAQS’s crucial role in the project’s
success.
A press statement by Deputy Superintendent of Quarantine (DSQ),
Head/Media Communications and Strategies Unit, Mr.Senyamba Tanto stayed that they emphasized the benefits of the NSW, which include enhanced government revenue, increased foreign investment, higher
trade volumes, and the automation of processes for greater efficiency.
Dr. Isegbe assured the project team of NAQS’s cooperation and called on
all relevant agencies to align with government policies and programs that
promote the ease of doing business in Nigeria.
He emphasized the
importance of clearly defining, understanding, and respecting the roles
of agencies involved in trade facilitation.
The CG NAQS said that NAQS has instituted the Export Certification Value Chain ECVC for 30 agricultural commodities to ease
their exportation process, thereby creating opportunities for stakeholders
and youth engagement in export drive to earn foreign exchange.
NAQS
has equally instituted electronic certification of her processes for ease of doing business.
Recall that NAQS ranked top amongst the 36 MDAs on
the ease of doing business in the 90-Day RRA PEBEC ranking.
CG NAQS also expressed his gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu
GCFR for inaugurating the NSW project, noting that it will further consolidate the NAQS’s mandate on trade facilitation.
He also highlighted
that NAQS has successfully automated the process for obtaining
phytosanitary certifications through the ePhyto system.
The ePhyto
system allows exporters to apply for phytosanitary certifications from
anywhere in the world, ensuring transparency and integrity, as both local
and international stakeholders can easily verify the authenticity of the
certificates.
“In light of these advancements, we encourage Nigerians to visit NAQS
and familiarize themselves with the ECVC to facilitate smooth entry into
the export trade of these vital agricultural products.”
NAQS reaffirms its commitment to the success of this national initiative.
