Stakeholders move to entrench transparency in port operations
By Abimbola Abdullahi
Major stakeholders in Nigeria ports have renewed synergy to entrench transparency and boost efficiency in port operations.
The stakeholders who gathered at the sensitization meeting for government agencies and stakeholders in the maritime sector on the implementation of the Nigerian Ports Process Manual (NPPM), organised by the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) in Abuja underscored the importance of the manual and the need to sanitize Nigeria’s port system.
The NPPM, which was launched by the Vice-President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo on December 9 2020, is expected to enable Nigeria improve its ranking on the Corruption Perception Index, (CPI).
Speaking at the event, Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi emphasized the enormity of the responsibility placed on the Nigerian Shippers’ Council for driving the process and urged government agencies and port operators to cooperate with the Council.
Executive Secretary, NSC, Hassan Bello said that the Nigerian Ports Process Manual is key to transparency in Nigerian ports. He said: “There is a need to reduce dual time of cargo from 21 days to the regional average of 7 days.
“NSC is not only looking at the ease of doing business but at the cost of doing business”, he stated.
Bello added that the electronic call up system introduced by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) would aid in easing the current traffic situation around the port. He sought for the cooperation of sister agencies to ensure the manual is fully implemented in order to improve the ranking of Nigeria in the Corruption Perception Index (CPI).
Chairman, Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), Professor Bolaji Owasanoye, said: “The agencies are not powerless, they have enforcement power, it is time to effectively use these enforcement powers”, he said.
He pledged the support of his agency to implement the NPPM.
Head Technical Unit on Governance and Anti-Corruption Reforms (TUGAR) , Ms. Lillian Ekeanyanwu, applauded the collaboration of the NSC and other agencies in realizing the NPPM. “We have confidence in the NSC and NPA and we would issue a scorecard on performance”, she said.
Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Hadiza Bala Usman, said that the Key Performance Indicators (KPI) of the various agencies in the maritime sector are closely tied therefore the need for seamless cooperation and integration of relevant agencies.
The NPA, she promised would ensure compliance to the manual and implement sanctions for non-complaince.
Director General, NIMASA, Dr. Bashir Jamoh, spoke on some of the challenges in the sector, including insecurity and corruption.
According to him, methods of addressing these issues are embedded in the NPPM. “Our industry can only be sustained in terms of economic growth if we have sustainable systems in place to make our ports attractive”, he said.
Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, represented by the Lagos State Commissioner of Transportation, Fredrick Oladeyinde, said the Lagos state is on top of the Apapa gridlock situation.
“We are working with NPA to make sure truck parks are established along logistics routes. Lagos has given out 31 hectares of land for these truck parks for instance. We will continue to work with key stakeholders to ensure we develop the best port system in Africa”, he said.
Chief Executive Officer, Convention on Business Integrity, representing the Maritime Anti-Corruption Network – Olusoji Apampa, said since an information desk was put up in 2020, 90 vessels doing business via Nigerian waters were monitored and only 16 had issues which were resolved within 1 – 4 hours.
Registrar, Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN), Sam Nwakohu stressed the need for collaboration amongst the maritime agencies which freight forwarders rely upon to ease their business. He added that the manual is a good initiative that would improve the nation’s economy.
Comptroller-General, Nigeria Customs Service, Hameed Ali, represented by Acting Comptroller, Tariff, NCS – Suleiman Chiroma, said that there was need for the Nigerian Customs Service to deploy sophisticated modern scanners to replace physical examination.
He added that at the time of physical examination, all relevant agencies should be present and failure to comply would mean exemption.
