Tinubu to sign Executive Order to streamline cargo inspection, clearance procedure at ports
By Fruzzy Wuzzy
Vice President Kashim Shettima has revealed that President Bola Tinubu is preparing to sign an Executive Order that will introduce a unified Joint Physical Inspection process for cargoes at Nigerian ports.
The initiative is designed to enhance coordination among government agencies and fast-track cargo clearance procedures, in line with the administration’s drive to improve efficiency and ease of doing business in the maritime sector.
Speaking at the disclosed this at the second meeting of Port and Customs Efficiency Committee held at the Presidential Villa, Shettima also said that the move would end the fragmented operations among agencies operating at the ports.
He explained that the initiative would also bring about a transparent and a more competitive port system adding that the move is also aimed at the implementation of the National Single Window project Billed to come on stream in 2026.
He stated that the move will harmonize port documentation, reduce human contact and slash cargo clearance time from the current 21 days to under seven days.
He said:”By end of 2026 we to reduce cargo clearance time to less than seven days and position our ports among Africa’s top three most efficient trade gateways.
He disclosed that the National Single Window project will take off in the first quarter of 2026 as a game changer that will usher in a new era of transparency and seamless cargo processing across all agencies operating within the ports.
The Vice President also directed the leaderships of the Nigerian Ports Authority, the Nigeria Customs Service, Standard Organisation of Nigeria and other relevant stakeholders to submit a comprehensive roadmap for an effective weight and measure framework to protect consumer and ensure fairness in trade.
He decried the high cost and long cargo dwell time at the Nigerian Ports noting that while it takes 18-21 days to clear a container in Nigeria, it takes between 5-7 days in Ghana and just four hours in Benin Republic.
He said:”The cost of clearing goods in Nigeria is 30 percent higher than in many of our regional peers. These inefficiencies cost us investments, drive up prices and weaken our export competitiveness.”
