The Nigerian
Ports Authority (NPA) has banned all irrelevant government agencies from
operating at the seaports.The NPA’s Managing Director, Hadiza Bala Usman,
who
issued the order said it was in line with the executive order by the Federal
Government.
Usman
explained that only seven agencies have been endorsed and asked the unapproved
ones to leave the ports.She listed the approved agencies to include the NPA,
Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety
Agency (NIMASA), the Nigerian Police, the Nigerian Immigration Service, the
Department of State Services (DSS) and the Ports Health.
“Other
agencies that are not on the list cannot operate inside the port, but could
base their operations outside and interact with the approved agencies.“These
agencies are aware that they had always been operating at the ports outside the
necessary approvals,” she said.
At the
meeting, the Controller General of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), Ahmeed
Ali, said the order would bring changes in the port processes and enhance the
ease of doing business.
According to
the NPA boss, over 14 government agencies had before now, operated inside the
ports causing a clash of interest. This had resulted in touting, bribery and
corruption.
According to Guardian, Usman
explained that the NPA already has its portal and is working to establish a
“ports community system” through which the stakeholders and agencies would
interact. He said the system would be ready in the next one month.The Acting
President, Yemi Osinbajo had issued the executive order on May 18, 2017.
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