The Association of Maritime Journalists of Nigeria (AMJON) has Nigeria’s frontline maritime Information and Communication Technology (ICT) firm, Webb Fontaine in recognition of the company’s high reputation and contributions to national economic growth through reliable ICT solutions for government and private institutions in the country.
Webb Fontaine was presented with the award recently at the 2022 Annual Conference and Award put together by AMJON in Lagos .
The company was also recognised for value-adding innovations like the Nigerian Integrated Customs Information System (NICIS) and other solutions. Having helped the Nigeria Customs Service to attain annual trillion naira revenue collections since 2017.
The Managing Director of Webb Fontaine, Ope Babalola, who received the award on behalf of the firm appreciated the organizers with a promise to continue to do more in ensuring better ICT trade solution for the country.
He denied Nigeria Customs’ claim that the server breakdown and called for a probe into recent repeated disruptions of the server, stating that their servers are up and functional for 99 per cent and more of the time.
Babalola noted that the reports were done without proper findings adding that Webb Fontaine would prefer a more accurate reporting of exactly what is happening at the ports with respect to the servers.
“Several things could go wrong, which can be a very small action like someone switching off a light switch on a wall or an officer refuses to take an action with the excuse of server breakdown.
“I wouldn’t want to blame the situation on a lack of capacity or competence on the part of the customs officials operating the platforms, over the years, they have been extensively trained and many of them are very good at the job. I think some of them will be surprised at these frequent reports of server breakdown that aren’t true.” He said.
Babalola allayed fears about Webb Fontaine’s role after Customs’ full modernisation, stating that the agency already operates a paperless system.
He noted that the Customs platform covers almost all Nigerian agencies in the trade cycle except a few key ones, like the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), which are not yet in.
“We are hoping that when the NPA gets its automation done, we can work together, so that everything could go smoothly,” he said.
According to him, Webb Fontaine runs a fully automated and functional port community system in Benin Republic and several other countries which integrate with Customs and other port operators.
In his words, “Those countries are really enjoying the best of everything derivable from automation and I don’t see why we can’t do the same in Nigeria.
“However, different targets might be impeding a common goal, as the ports in Nigeria are under the Ministry of Transportation, Customs under the Ministry of Finance, and Trade under the Ministry of Trade and Industry.
“So, in Nigeria we have three different ministries, sometimes with different objectives and goals. They also usually have different areas of interest and varying opinions on the best way to advance Nigeria’s trade and commerce.
“Transportation Ministry’s focus might be a little bit different from Finance Ministry’s, while the Ministry of Industry and Trade’s point of view is also a bit different.
“There is a very important need to put all of them together so that there is a single focus and single drive towards a one-stop shop for proper automation. We already have about 90 per cent of that in customs’ single window (trade.gov.ng).
“Most of the agencies are there, so I would suggest that those agencies that aren’t there join the platform and everything can be harmonised.”
For his part, publisher of JournalNg, Ismail Aniemu, commended the company for the honor well deserved, stating that the ICT trade solutions firm is known for its value-adding innovations like the Nigerian Integrated Customs Information System (NICIS) and other solutions.
Having helped the Nigeria Customs Service to attain annual trillion naira revenue collections since 2017.
Aniemu underscored the importance of the firm to the survival of the Nigerian economy, the reported support the company is giving to not less than 14 agencies of the Federal Government to achieve transparent revenue generation.
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