By Efe Onodjae
The Nigerian Shippers’ Council, NSC, has said the implementation of the National Single Window has not resulted in additional demurrage charges for shippers, despite initial concerns that the initiative could slow cargo clearance and create congestion at the nation’s ports.
Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the Council, Dr. Akutah Pius, made this known while responding to questions from maritime editors and reporters during a media engagement in Lagos on Saturday.
Akutah said concerns had been raised before the rollout of the National Single Window that its implementation could delay container clearance and expose importers to demurrage charges. To forestall such a situation, he said the Council immediately engaged terminal operators, shipping companies and other stakeholders.
According to him, stakeholders agreed that any complaint arising from delays directly linked to the implementation of the National Single Window would be considered on a case-by-case basis.
