The government has requested APM Terminals to nominate staff members for the Private Sector Consultative Council to contribute industry insights and expertise toward the implementation of the National Single Window (NSW) project.
Tola Fakolade, Director of the National Single Window Team, highlighted that private sector involvement is essential for the success of the initiative.
He pointed out that previous attempts to implement the NSW project failed due to fragmented technological systems, institutional bottlenecks, and insufficient technological infrastructure within some government agencies.
“As we hit key milestones, we aim to engage the private sector and share our next steps. We consider APM Terminals a crucial partner in ensuring the success of this initiative,” Fakolade said.
Fakolade and the NSW team met with senior officials of APM Terminals Nigeria in Apapa, Lagos, to gain insights into the port environment and secure the terminal operator’s support for the smooth rollout of the NSW project.
He explained that the current strategy focuses on overcoming past challenges by promoting collaboration and aligning stakeholders.
He also emphasized that the NSW team, established last year, is dedicated to simplifying trade facilitation processes and has already completed business process analysis and technology readiness assessments.
Fakolade mentioned that while some government agencies are fully prepared to integrate into the NSW platform, others are still working toward readiness.
Frederik Klinke, CEO of APM Terminals Nigeria, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to trade facilitation and the success of the NSW initiative.
He stressed the importance of digitalisation in global trade, calling the NSW a transformative project that will improve transparency and reduce cargo clearance bottlenecks.
Klinke expressed the terminal’s readiness to collaborate with the government and relevant stakeholders to ensure the NSW’s success, leveraging its expertise and technological infrastructure to support a seamless transition.
He also noted that the NSW would play a pivotal role in attracting further investment to Nigeria’s port sector, aligning with APM Terminals’ planned investments in Lagos Port.
Olayinka Akinlade, Head of Government Relations at APM Terminals Apapa, also spoke, highlighting the company’s advanced automation processes and digital customer interface.
He explained that APM Terminals has made substantial investments in automation to enhance efficiency and customer experience, enabling clients to track shipments, make payments, and process their Terminal Delivery Order (TDO) via an integrated online platform.