Association of Nigerian Representatives of Overseas Pharmaceuticals Manufacturers (NIROPHARM) has called on the Nigerian Customs to throw more lights on the single window and pre-arrival assessment report (PAAR) currently being implemented in the country to facilitate trade.

This call was made during a business networking dinner organised by NIROPHARM in Lagos at the Sheraton Hotel.

In his welcome address,  NIROPHARM president and Managing Director of GlaxoSmithkline PLC Pharm. Lekan Asuni noted that his association pays considerable attention to the series and sequence of activities that occur from the point of manufacture to the end-users and as such “we are all aware, as part of efforts to facilitate trade, that the Nigerian Customs Service has come up with different initiatives such as the single trade window, the pre-arrival assessment report and IT-based services.”

Asuni who lauded the Nigeria Customs’ initiatives revealed that the evening’s discourse which hovered around the theme: End to End Import Logistics, is deliberately planned to interact on the Customs’ single trade window alongside challenges and issues with pre-arrival assessment report with a view “ to elicit better understanding of the subject matter, provide an opportunity for discussion and engagement among stakeholders,” he added.

In an expository presentation on the single trade window and pre-arrival assessment report, Deputy Comptroller of ICT for the Nigerian Customs, DC Yusuf Bashar, reiterated Customs’ desire to fast-track the clearing process for imported cargos into Nigeria in the fastest time possible. Yusuf Bashar who is the head of ICT for his organisation revealed that the PAAR system is currently a worldwide accepted system that saves time and very cost effective.

He informed that the PAAR, has a variety of indicators that are conscious of first and foremost national security and International trust, cooperation and seamless networking among stake- holding nations and agencies while also saving the nation huge expenses in foreign currencies.

Bashar explained that Niropharm’ s corporate members who are desirous of quicker services should be registered with the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria and also be ready to show proven records of good past performances.

The Customs boss noted that the automation system of PAAR is gradually warming up to perfection, with his officers running a 24-hour shift daily to facilitate the process.

He, however, regretted that bottle- necks arise when organisations in Nigeria resort to alterations on their overseas assessment reports alongside other short- comings. “If you avoid short cuts, understand the process, display transparency and integrity, single trade window and PAAR offer all stakeholders a cost effective process,” he concluded.