NPA bans government agencies from seaports

Nigerian Ports Authority

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.

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.