By Agnes Nsikak
The Managing Director of Webb Fontaine Nigeria Limited, Ope Babalola has stated that his company has begun moves to partner Starlink owned by Elon Musk for increased port efficiency through using faster and reliable internet connectivity.
Babalola said this in Lagos during a town hall meeting to discuss the Port Community System (PCS) organised by the JournalNG Magazine on Thursday disclosed that efforts are on to improve on port users experience with the server of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).
According to him, the company enjoys a cordial and robust relationship with the NCS and has always been committed in working for the success of the customs through revenue collection and prevention of loses of revenue.
While delivering a paper on the Port Community System (PCS) ,Babalola lauded President Bola Tinubu’s moves to establish a National Single Window (NSW) and said such will benefit the country in many ways.He added that the PCS can run under the single window conveniently targeting port users primarily with a view to achieving better inclusion of all stakeholders in the environment.
The Webb Fontaine boss also called on stakeholders to support the PCS initiative in furtherance to boost port operations, even as he harped on regularly town hall meetings that will aid trade facilitation and seamless cargo clearance.
While soliciting for balance of trade, he affirmed that exporters should be encouraged to facilitate trade through seamless operations for cargo movement.
He said “Nigeria has so much trade data, but we are not using it. Therefore there should be seamless collaboration between NPA and customs to promote the Port Community System PCS.
“This town hall meeting should be regular to create more awareness about what it’s all about.
Earlier , the Chairman of the event ,Mr Lucky Amiwero called on the Service Provider Webb Fortaine to up the ante on its server for effective and smooth cargo clearance.
Amiwero who is the President, National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents ( NCMDLCA) appealed to management of the Nigeria Nigeria Customs Service to capitalise on training and retraining of officers on cargo clearance procedures and clearance.
He also stressed the need for both the Customs and Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) to collaborate as part of measures to promote seamless trade in Nigerian ports.
