Ugochukwu Nnadi (NAGAFF Chair, PTML)
We have enough government agencies in the ports already, the most recent one is the anti-bomb squad, the idea was to come in and move around if there are suspicious cargoes around they should call and investigate, but today they are examining containers, another one now is this national task force and before you know it, they will also come into the port to be examining containers. At the last count there are about 13 agencies that are involved in physical examination and yet the same things still keep happening. I have said it severally that as far as our leaders remain unfocused, the followers will remain unfocused, customs alone can do all these things and we won’t have any problem as long as they are properly taken care of and an enabling environment is created. Also the people should be made to know that the safety of Nigeria is their safety and as such, our revenues will be used to take care of basic amenities like roads, electricity and so on. When the task force comes in, their primary aim will be to fill their pockets with money and go home with comfort, very soon they might want to also create ‘government agencies coordinating committee’ as another body. I suggest that all the agencies be cancelled and let the customs perform their statutory function.
Simeon Nwonu (Nat. PRO, NAGAFF)
The issue is that in every environment like our own and given the operational base where freight forwarders operate, the seaport, airports, border stations, yes there is need for task force to be, but not the way we are having them now. For instance, we already have multiplicity of agencies working at the port, all these people are not needed, I believe that if we are straight forward people and if not for corruption, for the fact that the customs are there to do their job as revenue collectors for the government and the freight forwarders are doing their work, and then there is need for the police to be there because they are to maintain law and order. It is the level of the corruption in the country that makes these task forces and committees to still remain there even after they have finished discharging their functions.
Frank Odinukaeze (Stakeholder)
I will say no. We have enough security agencies already in the port to man it and keep it safe and I don’t think we need these task forces or committees, but the issue on ground is that of selfish interest and that is why they all want to be at the port. Nigeria is a very corrupt country, if we have dedicated, honest and devoted people who want to do their job without external agenda, then we don’t need all these task forces. People should see this country as their own country, so anyone who chose to serve the nation should do so with all their strength and not with pecuniary interests, if they various agencies are doing well in the first place, then there will be no need to create a task force to check them.
Barrister Abimbola Akinpelu (Legal practitioner)
They said too many cooks spoil the broth, and the question is why does government keep assigning new agencies to the port? I believe government is the real cause of the problem and they are the ones that will cub it, we don’t need all these task forces in the port, it is already cumbersome. In other countries, this is not the case, the port is a customs port and if there is need for any inspection, the customs will be the one to invite the relevant agencies, if you go to other ports abroad, it is almost like a ghost town because you will not see anybody there, yet their cargo is being cleared out of the port through electronic methods.
Dr. Emmanuel Oparah (Nat. Sec., ANLCA)
The problem we are having in this country is about saying the truth and allowing the truth to rule us, there are agencies that are supposed to be in the port, why not leave them and let them do their job. Recently, we heard about a task force on small arms and so on, when you look at the composition of that task force, they are people that are frustrated, people without agenda and nothing at stake. We are not aware of them as far as I am concerned. My suggestion is that government should look inwards, all these cocaine, arms and ammunitions coming into the country are being masterminded by some group of people in order to gain relevance, I am sure it is this same task force people that are bringing them in to make themselves relevant in the country but it cannot stand, how can an importer set up a task force that monitors his importation and now go into the port to be collecting money from the agents he gives the job to?
Nwankwo Ikechukwu [M.D. High Point Maritime]
The truth is that the National Taskforce has come for the benefit of all operating in the seaport. The taskforce is necessary, since the country is highly corrupt. I think there should be need for them to function and with the National Taskforce actions in the seaport; things will improve because the importers will be terrified to import unlawful merchandise or product to the country, besides the clearing agent that will clear such consignment will also check correctly before clearance. The things we import to the country are not appropriately scrutinized and with National Taskforce on ground, those wares will be properly scrutinized before leaving the port.
Mr Benjamin Gono [Sapid International]
The taskforce member knows that there job is not permanent, they are just another proliferation of government agencies operating in the seaport. The government agencies in the port are not reliable; it’s only the SSS that are active.
Mr. Segun Agegbejo [Five Stars Logistic]
There should be a committee to run the port because the task force is temporary and for that reason they will want to look for an avenue to get their own share for any illegitimate cargoes that find their way into the country. But with the committee, I am sure there will changes so far the right hands are there.
Mr Caleb Nwansi [Terminal Operator]
In my own view, the National Taskforce that is set up on arms and ammunition can be easily bought over as regard bribery and corruption. In any Taskforce that is set up the Government there is bound to retired military men who sometime may apply force if you don’t comply with their order.
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