From right, President Bola Tinubu; the Minister of Transport, Sa’idu Alkali; and the Executive Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Zacch Adedeji, after the inauguration of the Presidential Steering Committee for the National Single Window Project at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, on Tuesday.
‘By linking our ports, government agencies, and key stakeholders, we will create a seamless ecosystem that facilitates trade, save time for businesses, and opens up a world of opportunities’
By Valentine Amanze
The Chairman of Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Mr. Zacch Adedeji, has raised the alarm that Nigeria loses $4 billion yearly to inefficiencies at the nation’s ports.
Adedeji made the revelation at the inauguration of a Steering Committee to drive an initiative called the National Single Window Project (NSWP) at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, recently.
Also read: Nigeria’s economy to bounce back soon – FIRS
At the event attended by President Bola Tinubu, the FIRS boss thanked the president for the project and approving FIRS and the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) as the project’s implementing agencies and financial managers.
Adedeji said that by addressing revenue leakage and facilitating effective trade, Nigeria would reclaim the lost resources and channel them towards the betterment of the society.
He also explained that the “Steering Committee – National Single Window 2 Paperless trade alone is projected to bring an annual economic benefit of around $2.7 billion – a testament to the transformative power of this initiative.”
Adedeji said the project aligns with Tinubu’s commitment to stimulating the nation’s economy through enhanced trade facilitation and a bold step towards realizing Nigeria’s immense potential.
“As we strive towards achieving sustainable economic growth, we must embrace high-impact projects such as the National Single Window.
“By simplifying the government trade compliance process through a cutting-edge digital platform, we will unlock a myriad of economic benefits.
“This initiative will serve as a catalyst for achieving an average GDP growth rate of 7% annually, propelling Nigeria to new heights of prosperity. The National Single Window is not just a technological advancement; it is the gateway to a more connected, efficient, and transparent system.
“By linking our ports, government agencies, and key stakeholders, we will create a seamless ecosystem that facilitates trade, save time for businesses, and opens up a world of opportunities.
“From providing access to education and healthcare to enabling small businesses to reach global markets, digital connectivity is the key to unlocking Nigeria’s true potential.”
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