shippingposition
  • Home
  • News
  • Editorial
    • Vox Pop
  • Maritime safety
  • Oil and Gas
  • Personality
  • Health
No Result
View All Result
shippingposition

Home » Corruption in the ports, who is most culpable?

Corruption in the ports, who is most culpable?

by Joshua
February 8, 2009
in Uncategorized

The port system comprises of a web of suppliers and users of shipping services on one side and suppliers and users of ancillary services on the other. Spread across this winding and complex web are players such as: Nigerian Ports Authourity Nigeria Customs Service and its service providers, shipping agents, Standards Organisation of Nigeria, National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control,  terminal operators, service providers including scanning  importers (big and small), freight forwarders (or licensed customs agents), dockworkers, truck owners, drivers and motor boys.
On a good day and from as early as six o’clock in the morning, the frontage of Lagos ports is always busy; filled with people milling around the gates in their quest to gain access into the ports. Of this lot, only a few have genuine reasons to be in the port. The rest are only interested in how they can make a living from the system.
It is difficult to ascertain the identity of those who perpetuate fraud in the port system, because the chain of importation is long; hence it can only be situated within the chain; that is, from the point an importer opens his ‘Letter of Credit’ to when the goods are actually procured and, packaged and freighted into Nigeria as an import and up to the point at which it is cleared form the port.
In analysing the phenomenon called corruption in the port system, a lot of people tend to pin it down on stakeholders in the Nigerian port system, but that is an incorrect judgement.
Our findings have revealed that corruption is (in most cases) engineered from the point at which a consignment is procured. A situation when an importer defies import guidelines and import prohibition orders of the federal government makes the consignment and its importer susceptible. By implication, the licensed customs agent inherits the liability.
To ensure that the (offending) consignment is cleared out of the port, he (the clearing agent) begins to define ways and this means being at the mercy of officials of government agencies, notably Customs.
The notoriety and high rating which the Nigeria Customs Service enjoys on the Corruption scale is not to say that other players are angels; virtually all the actors whom we have identified above are involved at one level or the other; albeit in varying degrees.
This brings us to the critical issue of causal factors in corruption in the port system. We are of the opinion that transactions in the port system will be more devoid of corrupt tendencies if all stakeholders imbibe the tenets of integrity and best practices in port operations.
This paper once had cause to ask the chairman of the Port Industry Anti-corruption Standing Committee, Mr Val Usifoh about the prevalence of corruption in the port system and an identification of the most corrupt agency. He had avoided fingering any agency; rather he said: “I agree with you that corruption is pervasive, but to start drawing a league table on corruption is difficult and it may not be appropriate”.

Mr Usifoh’s response is representative enough of what most stakeholders are likely to say about the cankerworm called corruption and how deeply it has eaten into the fabric of members of the port community so much so that it may be difficult to exonerate any group.
An appraisal of their roles will suffice here: stakeholders always rush to label customs personnel as the most corrupt, but as much as we do not want to wish to draw a ‘league table’, we will like to look at them one after the other.
The first thing that happens once a ship comes into the harbours is that officials of government agencies; notably, the Nigeria Immigration Service go on board. Curiously, they board empty handed and disembark with loads of goodies including foreign drinks and other assorted items. That to us is the first act of corruption.  
From that point, the terminal operator takes over and moves the consignments to designated storage facilities, while the importer or his licensed customs agents begins the process of taking delivery. From this moment, he is at the mercy of the container handler operator at the terminal, the Customs officer (and sometimes, the dockworker) at the terminal. If he is lucky and the container is not problematic, it may not be necessary to open his container for full examination; if this is so, he moves to the gate and still contends with a horde of agencies including the Police and the Customs who must vet the documents again before the container exits.
On the other hands, the importer or his licensed customs agents is left at the mercy of Customs officers if the consignment is problematic or he is at the mercy of the officials of terminal operators if the container has to be transferred from the port to off-dock terminals.
We have taken the pains to x-ray this process to underscore the complexity of cargo clearance and delivery in the nation’s seaports.
The question as to which of these groups is most culpable may not be quite straight forward. It will be difficult to exonerate any group from the cankerworm.
However, the tendency to take advantage will be reduced drastically if the importer does not violate the import guidelines and government policy on import prohibition. It is equally less likely that government officials will toss him around and extort money from him, if the licensed customs agent makes genuine and honest declaration on the Single Goods Declaration form.
We also think that the various anti-corruption committees in the port and the in-house ones within the agencies have not done enough. With the exemption of the Port Industry Anti- Corruption Standing Committee, we dare say that other corruption monitoring units (including the ones being promoted by the Customs) only exist on paper.


Related Posts

Reps Begin Plans To Revive Baro Inland Port

Reps Begin Plans To Revive Baro Inland Port

July 3, 2025
Despite ₦5.17trn Surplus, Dollar Dominates Nigeria-China Trade As Naira-Yuan Swap Struggles

Despite ₦5.17trn Surplus, Dollar Dominates Nigeria-China Trade As Naira-Yuan Swap Struggles

June 30, 2025
Meningitis: Death Toll In Kebbi Hits 56 – Govt 

Meningitis: Death Toll In Kebbi Hits 56 – Govt 

March 24, 2025
Navy Rescues 8 Police Officers,1 Civilian From Boat Accident In Bayelsa

Navy Rescues 8 Police Officers,1 Civilian From Boat Accident In Bayelsa

January 8, 2025

Discussion about this post

Latest News

Apapa Customs Seals Three Bonded Terminals, Seizes 27 Containers in Anti-Smuggling Crackdown

Apapa Customs Seals Three Bonded Terminals, Seizes 27 Containers in Anti-Smuggling Crackdown

July 3, 2025

Clarion Shipping Unveils Nigeria’s First Indigenous Container Vessel, Targets West African, China-Nigeria Trade Routes

Customs Intercepts 111 African Parrots, Illicit Drugs In Adamawa

Oyetola Inaugurates NIWA Governing Board, Charges Members on Discipline, Development

WCO: Centre Says Adeniyi’s Leadership‘ll Deepen Nigeria Customs’ Global Collaboration

WCO: FRSC Corps Marshal Congratulates Comptroller General Of Customs On Election As Chairperson

NESREA Hails Customs Boss On Election As WCO Council Chairperson

Reps Begin Plans To Revive Baro Inland Port

BREAKING: Oyetola Inaugurates NIMASA Governing Board, Charges Members on Strategic Oversight

Apapa Customs Boss Breaks Bottlenecks: ANLCA Chairman Hails Reduction of Checkpoints, Demands More Reforms

Succession Planning: Shippers’ Council Launches Training Programme for Mid-Level Officers

SEREC Outlines Key Benefits, Strategic Advice for CGC Adeniyi on His Appointment as WCO Council Chair

kindly like our Facebook page

Health

Contraceptive Pills Can’t Cause Cervical Cancer – Expert
Health

Contraceptive Pills Can’t Cause Cervical Cancer – Expert

June 30, 2025

Mrs Roseline Akinlabi, Adolescent and Youth Sexual Reproductive Health Desk Officer, Osun Primary Healthcare Board, says contraceptive pills cannot cause...

ONIONS: The Good Old Healing Vegetable

KNOW YOUR BODY PARTS: The Liver The liver is a vital organ located in the right upper abdomen, playing a crucial role in metabolism, detoxification, and digestion. It’s the largest solid organ in the body and is responsible for filtering blood, maintaining blood sugar levels, regulating clotting, and synthesizing essential proteins. The liver also stores energy, removes toxins, and produces bile, which aids in digestion Liver functions: · Metabolism and Detoxification: The liver processes nutrients from the blood, breaks down and balances them, and creates essential substances for the body. It detoxifies harmful substances like drugs and alcohol, converting them into less toxic forms for excretion. The liver plays a role in the metabolism of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. It stores glycogen (a form of glucose) and vitamins, releasing them when the body needs them. · Digestion: The liver produces bile, which is stored in the gallbladder and released into the small intestine to help digest fats. Bile also helps in the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins. · Blood Regulation: The liver regulates blood sugar levels by storing and releasing glucose. It synthesizes clotting factors, which are essential for blood clotting. It removes old red blood cells and processes bilirubin, a byproduct of red blood cell breakdown. · Other Functions: The liver plays a role in immunity, helping to fight off infections. It produces proteins that are involved in the immune response. The liver also stores iron and other essential minerals. Frequently Asked Questions About The Liver · What are the first signs of a bad liver? The initial signs of liver problems can be vague and subtle, often including fatigue, nausea, and loss of appetite. As the liver’s condition worsens, more specific symptoms may emerge, such as jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), itchy skin, dark urine, and light-colored stools. Abdominal pain, especially in the upper right quadrant, can also indicate liver issues. · Where do you feel liver pain? Liver pain is typically felt in the upper right abdomen, just beneath the rib cage. It can manifest as a dull, throbbing pain, a stabbing sensation, or a general feeling of discomfort in that area. In some cases, liver pain might be felt as an ache in the right shoulder or back. · What does liver pain feel like? How liver pain feels can vary from person to person, depending on the cause. However, most people often develop one or more of the following symptoms: Dull, persistent aches in the upper abdomen A feeling of fullness or bloating Sharp, stabbing pains that come and go Tenderness when the upper abdomen is touched · What is the best way to cleanse your liver? If you haven’t been working out, start indulging in a regular exercise regime to allow the toxins to come out of your body. Yoga, going running, hitting the gym, or a simple sauna session can also prove effective. If you want a natural liver cleanse, sweating is the way to go. · How to know if the liver is swollen? What are the symptoms of an enlarged liver? You likely won’t notice an enlarged liver on your own. In some severe cases, you might notice a feeling of bloating or fullness in your belly or an ache in your upper right abdomen. · What is the best drink to flush your liver? Many citrus fruits, including lemon, can be added to water to help stimulate and flush out the liver. Lemons are high in nutrients like vitamin C and antioxidants

June 16, 2025
ONIONS: The Good Old Healing Vegetable

ONIONS: The Good Old Healing Vegetable

June 16, 2025
Why Prostate Disorder Cases Are Increasing Among Nigerian Men – Experts

Why Prostate Disorder Cases Are Increasing Among Nigerian Men – Experts

June 1, 2025
20m Nigerians Live With Mental Health Issues, Says WHO

20m Nigerians Live With Mental Health Issues, Says WHO

June 1, 2025
Health Facts You Didn’t Know

How Your Habit Affects Fertility

May 19, 2025
Fruits For Raining Season

Fruits For Raining Season

May 19, 2025
See Mental Illness Like Other Treatable Diseases – Says Suicide Survivor

Health Facts You Didn’t Know

May 19, 2025
Alligator Pepper: Benefits, FAQ, Side Effects, & Warning

Alligator Pepper: Benefits, FAQ, Side Effects, & Warning

April 28, 2025
Water And Health: The Relationship That Helps Life

Water And Health: The Relationship That Helps Life

April 28, 2025

© 2021 Shippingposition

Navigate Site

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Sitemap
  • Terms

Follow Us

No Result
View All Result
  • News
  • Coast To Coast
  • Oil and Gas
  • Maritime Education
  • The Terminals
  • Maritime safety

© 2021 Shippingposition