The National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents (NCMDLCA) has called on the Federal Government to refocus the Single Window Environment on its original purpose, which is trade facilitation rather than revenue generation.
The Council urged the government to implement the project properly, saying it is a trade facilitation mechanism intended to streamline import-export processes and reduce costs associated with regulatory requirements. 
This call was made in a letter signed by the President of NCMDLCA, Mr Lucky Amiwero, and addressed to President Bola Tinubu. Amiwero stated that the Single Window Environment, as recommended by the United Nations Centre for Trade Facilitation and Electronic Business (UN/CEFACT) and the World Customs Organisation (WCO), is designed to simplify trade by allowing businesses to carry out all documentation through a single entry point.
He explained that the system, initiated as part of Nigeria’s Destination Inspection (DI) regime, aims to ease the administrative burden on businesses and government agencies by standardising and centralising data submissions.
Amiwero, who has been instrumental to the implementation of the DI regime and served as a consultant to the House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee on the Concession Agreement between the Federal Ministry of Finance and Single Window System and Technology Limited, called for proper implementation in line with international standards.He highlighted that the current focus on revenue generation detracts from the system’s primary goal of facilitating trade.
The letter outlined several key benefits of the single window system, including standardised information and single entry submission, accelerated customs release and cargo clearance, enhanced information handling and data sharing across government systems.
Other benefits are a reduction in malpractices associated with import-export and transit regulations, as well as transparent, predictable and consistent processes.
Amiwero cited countries like India, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Thailand, Mauritius, Chile and Namibia, which have successfully implemented their single window systems under the supervision of their respective ministries of finance.
