To fast-track the process and the quality of Nigerian agricultural produce meant for exporting to other countries, the Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS) has initiated the electronic issuance of phytosanitary certificates to exporters to address the sector’s challenges.
A phytosanitary certificate is an official document issued by governments to confirm that shipments of plant or agricultural products traded internationally are free of pests and diseases, and therefore, safe to import.
Before now, there were complaints by other countries of destination of farm produce exported from Nigeria of them being infected by pests, even as the long process of securing phyto certificate from the NAQS by exporters, affects the quality of those produce by the time they get to the country of consumption.
The experts who gathered at the official launch of the IPPC GeNS E-Phyto platform in Lagos, where exporters can go to fill in the needed information on the platform on the produce they are exporting and secure an inspection appointment with NAQS, said that this development would also be expected to enhance government revenue from the agricultural sector.
Speaking on the Generic ePhyto National System (GeNS) in Nigeria, at the programme, a representative of the Alliance for Trade Facilitation(GIZ) Bernard Tayor, said, the transition from traditional paper-based certificates to digital ones is a leap towards modernisation, efficiency, and sustainability.
Tayor noted that this transition is germane following addressing various complaints of other countries of farm produce exported from Nigeria.
According to him, “Today’s equipment handover and demonstration symbolises more than just a technological upgrade; it represents a commitment to transparency, efficiency, and the facilitation of trade. It is a demonstration of shared dedication to ensuring that Nigerian agricultural exports meet international standards globally with competitive having saved cost and time in processing.”
The Global Alliance for Trade Facilitation, he said, is proud to partner with NAQS in this endeavour, saying, through collaboration, “we have strived to equip Nigeria with the tools and knowledge necessary to enhance its trade competitiveness, strengthen its economic resilience, and safeguard its agricultural sector.”
The digitalisation of phytosanitary certificates, he stressed, will streamline processes, reduce paperwork, minimise errors, and enhance the traceability of agricultural products, even as it is expected to improve the ease of doing business and bolster Nigeria’s reputation as a reliable trading partner on the global stage.
Together, we are building a more efficient, transparent, and resilient trade ecosystem, we are transforming the landscape of international trade facilitation, he noted.
Also speaking at the programme, the Zonal Coordinator of the South-West Zonal Command, NAQS, Dr Joy Ivbade, applauded the Islamic Centre for Development of Trade (ICDT), GIZ and the World Economic Forum for assisting NAQS in acquiring the gadgets needed for the smooth running of the GeNS platform.
Speaking on behalf of the Comptroller General, NAQS, (Dr Vincent Isegbe, said: ‘I would also like to recognise the role of Global Alliance, who coordinated several meetings between the NAQS and other stakeholders, guiding through the business process analysis and training in using and managing the Generic ePhyto National System (GeNS).
Only recently, she said, these certificates were always physical paper documents that needed to travel great distances to be handled by parties and risked being damaged, lost, or even faked, adding that, these challenges often cause a delay in the delivery of products and jeopardise legitimate trade, which sometimes results in spoiled goods, demurrage charges, and frustration.
Due to these challenges, the IPPC Secretariat, with support from the United Nations International Computing Centre (UNICC), she stated, has developed an ePhyto Solution to bring phytosanitary certification into the digital era.
The ePhyto Solution, she said, is inclusive and global, allowing countries without a National System to produce, receive, and exchange ePhytos through a central hub quickly, accurately, and at low cost.
However, she stressed that the risk of loss, damage, or fraud to the certificate is significantly reduced, as it is the administrative burden on both border agencies and businesses.
“We are confident the GeNs will improve the business environment in the country, border procedures, and strengthen plant and public health protection, she said.
Meanwhile, the IPPC Contact Point, Nigerian Plant Protection Organisation (NPPO), Idachaba Ebenezer, also said that the initiators of the platform are working with Remita to tie up payment to the system, such that, the platform becomes a window to resolve all agric produce export transactions.
