The successes so far recorded by the Nigerian Port Process Manual (NPPM) has received international recognition at the recently-concluded Maritime Stakeholder’s meeting in London.
The commendation was one of the highpoints of a global Maritime Stakeholders’ meeting, which held in London, United Kingdom last week
The Maritime Stakeholders’ meeting was organized by the Maritime Anti-Corruption Network (MACN), which has been collaborating with the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and others, in the fight against sharp practices at the Nigerian ports.
In view of the acknowledged ease of transacting businesses at Nigerian ports as demonstrated by the task team in charge of the NPPM, delegates from Egypt and Bangladesh requested the processes that led to the success story in Nigerian ports should be replicated in their countries.
The meeting, which was attended by about 133 participants across the globe, was organized to learn about the interventions at the Nigerian Ports, which led to the formation of the Port Process Manual, which is domiciled at the Nigerian Shippers’ Council.
At the meeting, the Nigerian delegation was able to highlight efforts by the Nigerian government to address the challenges and trends faced by the maritime industry.
The Nigerian delegation was led by the ICPC Chairman, Prof Bolaji Owasanoye and Executive Secretary of Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Hon. Emmanuel Jime.
The Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers’ Council in his address itemized the functions of the Council and its activities which made the federal government designate the Council as the Port Economic Regulator.
The Council also dwelt on the NPPM, which is being handled by the Port Services Task Team (PSTT), headed by Mr Moses Fadipe of the NSC.
The highlight of the meeting was the report of the Nigerian PSTT which all international ports stakeholders at the meeting acknowledged as a game-changer that has made Nigerian ports more efficient.
The PSTT had also told the meeting that, the seemingly intractable challenges encountered within the Nigerian ports were being tackled by the enforcement activities of the PSTT such that vessels turn-around time has reduced significantly.
Participants at the meeting acknowledged that the PPSM and the involvement of the PSTT has led to a significance ease of maritime activities at Nigerian ports as well as improved turn around time for ships and better cargo clearance and general efficiency of Nigerian Ports.
In view of the acknowledged ease of transacting businesses at Nigerian ports as demonstrated by the PSTT, delegates from Egypt and Bangladesh requested that the processes which led to the success story in Nigerian ports should be replicated in their countries.
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While addressing the participants, Professor Owasanoye highlighted the importance of the maritime sector to the Nigerian economy, and the reason ICPC had to intervene to make the Nigerian Ports more competitive and efficient.
Among the interventions engendered by ICPC in conjunction with other ports stakeholders were the development and harmonization of Standard Operation Procedures (SOPs), the establishment of a complaint mechanism in the form of the Ports Service Support Portal, the development of Nigeria Ports Process Manual, as well as the establishment of Ports Standing Task Team (PSTT) which was the compliance and enforcement arm of the interventions.
The ICPC boss however pointed out that in spite of these reforms there were still pockets of challenges that needed to be tackled including the issue of malfeasance in the Ports Corridor wherein cleared cargos are delayed by illegal checking points outside the ports.
He therefore reiterated the commission’s commitment to deal with corruption or anything that would “constitute a drag to the achievement of Ports Reform’s goal,” assuring the MACN delegates that no infraction at the Nigerian ports would go unpunished.
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