The African Association of Professional Freight Forwarders and Logistics of Nigeria has said that allowing the Standards Organisation of Nigeria to return to the ports will hurt the single window policy.
The President of APFFLON, Frank Ogunojemite, in a chat with Financial Street on Monday in Lagos, explained that the single window was aimed at reducing the presence of government agencies at the ports, which causes delays in cargo clearance.
He asserted that SON could affiliate with the quality control offices of products’ countries of origin rather than wasting government’s resources.
Ogunojemite urged SON to synergise with other government agencies at the ports, instead of fighting to come back.
“SON should promote synergy with other agencies, especially Customs, and other stakeholders, rather than being desperate to go back to the ports. We need to adopt international best standards instead of seeking avenues for exploitation,” he said.
Harping on adherence to the report of the International Monetary Fund on the economy, he added that it was time for Nigeria to be among the comity of maritime nations.
Ogunojemite, however, advised the government to consult and do its analysis before taking decisions as it affects the African Continental Free Trade Agreement.
“We expected to see SON talking about promoting Mandatory Conformity Assessment Programme, rather than agitating to be stationed at the ports.
“SON should come out with a strong proposal to the Federal Executive Council that will encourage our local manufacturers. They should be thinking of how government will generate money through export of our own products. SON should promote indigenous products that can develop our economy rather than encourage importations.
“Thinking about the exchange rate and values of the naira should be of importance to SON as one of the means to help this country is to encourage local production especially with AfCFTA,” he said.
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