Digital efficiency at ports: Webb Fontaine partners Elon Musk’s Starlink

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

Webb Fontaine Nigeria Limited has revealed that in its avowed determination to improve on its primary objective of using technologies to simplify international trade transactions, it has begun moves to partner Starlink owned by Elon Musk.

Managing Director of Webb Fontaine Nigeria Limited, Ope Babalola made the disclosure last Thursday in Lagos at the 4th edition of the JournalNG Port Industry Town Hall Meeting.

The Jean Gurulian company(founder of Webb Fontaine) he said is stopping at nothing in improving port efficiency through the use of faster and reliable internet connectivity, added 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
Delivering a paper on the Port Community System (PCS) ,Babalola lauded President Bola Tinubu’s moves to establish a National Single Window (NSW) is a laudable step that 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 General Manager called on stakeholders to support the PCS initiative in furtherance to boost port operations, even as he harped on regularly town hall meeting that will aid trade facilitation and seamless cargo clearance.

While soliciting for balance of trade, the Webb Fortaine boss affirmed that exporters should be encouraged to facilitate trade through seamless operations for cargo movement.

“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 regulate to create more awareness about what it’s all about.

Earlier , 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 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.