The Maritime Anti-Corruption Network (MACN) in partnership with the Convention on Business Integrity (CBi) and stakeholders in the maritime industry under the auspices of the Integrity Alliance Group is set to implement strategic plans designed to strengthen integrity, efficiently and improve the operating environment in Nigerian ports and terminals.
While addressing journalists in a press briefing in Lagos yesterday, a Co-founder of the Convention of Business Integrity (CBi), Mr. Olusoji Apampa noted that the Integrity Alliance Group is geared at implementing the successes recorded on the side of vessels clearance and replicating same in cargo clearance, so as to reduce incidences of inefficiency and corruption at the ports.
He also stated that the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) is the lead agency for the enforcement of these procedures through the National Port Process Manual (NPPM).
“You may be aware that a set of reforms have been going on since 2012 at the request of the Maritime Anti-Corruption Network. Based on that, there has been the collaboration of government, MACN, agencies at the port and ICPC. That has culminated into Standard Operation Procedures (SOPs) being defined, as grievance reporting measures being put in place which is managed by the Nigerian Shippers Council. Today we also have the National Port Process Manual which had even expanded on making the processes at the port transparent.
“What we intend to do is the continuation of what has been achieved on the side of vessel clearance. In 2019, there were 266 incidents of demands for large cash and unreceipted payment. This dropped drastically to 128 in 2020 and has further dropped to only 51 incidents in 2021. So, it is our hope in 2022, we can reduce this and can now start to take bold steps in cargo clearance; trying to reduce incidence of inefficiency and corruption as well” he said.
While stating the plans set to be implemented to achieve the alliance set goals, Apampa noted that there would be provisions for the training of the officials of government institutions and sister agencies while also ensuring adequate sensitisation of port users and the general public.
Also speaking, the MACN’s Associate Director, Global Operation and Industry Engagement, Vivek Menon expressed his optimisim towards the implementation of change and integrity in the Nigerian port system. This is even as he noted that models implemented in Nigeria had been working since 2019. Menon also stated that It just been implemented in other countries like Ukraine, Egypt and India.
“Some handful of companies came together to look into doing ethical business going forward from a change in the processes of the system of Shipping companies with the advent of the UK Bribery Act 11 years ago . This form the MACN. It is a Network and not a service based organisation. We capture more than 50 percent of global tonnage and move more than 40 percent of Cargo. In terms of container traffic we have moved more 75 percent of tonnage.
“We want to start with Nigeria because it is one of the most difficult working environment. We are very optimistic because we consciously believe that there was change happening. The change is not well amplified enough and we also want to take advantage of the change happening. It is beneficial for the country, region and also the continent”,Menon noted.
Speaking on the safety and security of the standing task team due to several previous resistances from terminal operators, the National Coordinator of the National Port Process Manual (NPPM); Mr. Moses Fadipe emphasised that the team is well-equipped and formidable to ensure compliance at all levels of the port system. He however solicited for the joint support of both stakeholders and the government in order to achieve huge success.
“If we really want the task force to work, with our collective efforts, the government will have no option than to support us. There had been incidences of resistance. It is natural. When we got to Onne in Port Harcourt, it was a mob action but we thank God we were able to prevail over them.
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“On the vessel side, 80 to 85 percent success have been recorded. All we need is patience, commitment and resilience. Although there are a lot of threats, physical assault. We started operations in March on the vessel side in all the ports of the nation. We are now moving to the cargo side. The terminals are already complying and not stopping us anymore because we have showed them our character. I therefore appeal for the support fo the users of these services. With your support, I think the sky is the limit” Fadipe said.
On his part, the President, Shippers Association of Lagos State (SALS), Rev. Jonathan Nicole described the project as the last hope of Nigerian maritime stakeholders. He commended the initiative and called for financial support from stakeholders, government and the World Bank for the funding of the project.
“This body is the last hope for all major stakeholders in our system. We cannot rule out the history of Nigeria is shipping is not part of the heading. We have to sit down and see how we can finance ourselves and get support from the government”, he said.
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