Some maritime experts have said that the establishment of the Customs Trade Modernisation Project (CTMP) would enable Nigeria to become a shipping hub for the West and Central Africa.

The experts made the assertion in separate interviews with journalists in Lagos on Sunday.

Rollins Macfoy, president of Women in Maritime Africa (WIMArrica), said the establishment of the CTMP would make Nigeria a port of origin and destination.

She said the cargo trade volume would increase, and the CTMP operation would reduce the time spent doing business at Nigerian ports.

Also, the president of Women in Shipping Africa, Odunayo Ani, said it would allow customs to clear cargo in less than an hour due to the facilities that would be installed on the project.

According to her, if the time spent doing business is reduced, Nigeria will be a preferred cargo destination compared to other African countries, and there will be more jobs for the youth.

Tajudeen Alao, president of the Nigerian Association of Master Mariners, said the CTMP will stimulate quicker cargo clearance at the nation’s ports.

Mr Alao noted that establishing the project will also boost internally generated revenue and enhance the country’s global visibility.

“The establishment of the Trade Modernisation Project would add value in terms of internally generated revenue through improved customs clearance procedures.

“Consider when we had to carry files around; now everything is done through ICT. Nigeria must modernise, and I am glad this initiative is underway,” Mr Alao said.

The federal government and Trade Modernisation Project Ltd. signed a 20-year concession agreement on May 30, 2022, to provide best-in-class technology for implementing paperless customs at the Nigeria Customs operations.

The general manager of the Trade Facilitation Project, Ahmed Ogunshola, explained the numerous benefits accrued to a nation when the CMP is fully automated.

Mr Ogunshola explained that TMP was the automation of the business processes of the Nigeria Customs Service.

He said the project would simplify and enhance the experience of stakeholders in the trade value chain, making it easy to obtain import and export clearances, pay duties, and obtain the release of goods.

“The project will generate more than $250 billion for the federal government over the life of the concession.

“The project will bring Nigeria to par with the rest of the world in terms of deploying technology to facilitate international trade,” Mr Ogunshola said.

The national public relations officer of NCS, Abdullahi Maiwada, assured stakeholders that the establishment of the Customs-Trade Modernisation Project would facilitate quicker cargo clearance.

Mr Maiwada said the concessionaire had promised that the facilities would be foolproof against cyber-attacks, using the latest security network gadgets.

(NAN)