In what was expected to be a transformative fight against corruption at the nation’s ports, the Port Standing Task Team (PSTT) is now facing fierce criticism from maritime stakeholders who allege that despite the intervention, corruption still thrives within the port system.
The PSTT, established with the grand promise of rooting out corruption at the ports and restoring transparency to maritime operations, initially received applause for its efforts as several high-profile arrests and convictions.
These achievements at that time appeared to validate the team’s effectiveness in tackling the longstanding issue of endemic corruption in the ports.
However, findings by our correspondent revealed that doubts have begun to surface among the very stakeholders who had initially welcomed the PSTT’s formation. This is even as several industry insiders, who spoke to Shipping Position Daily revealed that the recent crackdowns were merely scratching the surface. They alleged that corruption networks, entrenched for years, were adapting and finding new ways to operate clandestinely.
A ship owner who doesn’t want his name in print said: “We are disappointed with the progress made so far. It seems like the corrupt elements have just gone into hiding and are now operating more discreetly, making it harder for the PSTT to identify them.”
Other stakeholders echoed similar sentiments, raising concerns about lack of visible impact on day-to-day port operations. Bribes and kickbacks reportedly continued to influence cargo clearance processes, vessel assignments, and sundry other vices.
In a chat with our correspondent, Capt. Alfred Oniye; a Maritime Security Specialist and Secretary General of the Merchant Seafarers Association of Nigeria said: “If we are talking about corruption in Nigeria and you mention maritime, don’t you know that maritime is the home of corruption in Nigeria? That is where the country is bleeding now. And funny, these people have done everything possible to divert people’s attention away from the maritime. With what we are losing in the maritime because of corruption, it is enough for this country to be broke.
“We are not supposed to be borrowing money. We lose money every day and this money goes to individual pockets in this maritime industry. You want me to start mentioning companies, mentioning agencies? I am a well-trained private detective and I can categorically tell you what is happening in that water. I am presently the African regional head for the British private investigation. I can boldly tell you what is happening in that maritime industry.
“This country is bleeding; the real bleeding is on the maritime. And this is what maritime has done to this country. And somebody says there is no corruption in the maritime, mention that person’s name and I will give you 72 hours. Within 72 hours, I will tell you everything about that person. Anybody who comes out and says there is no corruption in the maritime is an enemy of this country. So, to ask you, what is he hiding? What is that person hiding?
Speaking directly go the PSST activities, Capt Oniye said: “Well, give a big kudos to Mr. Fadipe, the director of this port-standing task team. They’ve done their best. And I must say that despite their best, they still have limitations. Because the power that be, will not allow them to do more of what they have done.
“To their own understanding, to their own level, they have mitigated some things when it comes to port operations, when it comes to officials coming on board and collecting bribes, officials coming on board and not following the port procedure. So all those things, I think they’ve been able to reduce it to some extent. So those ones are just little to corruption. And I’m talking about the real corruption in this country.
“If anybody comes out and say there is no corruption in the maritime sector again, ask that person, what is he hiding? Because you can even know from the kind of car that the person drives. Ask him how much the person’s salary is and compare to the car he drives and compare to the house he lives”, he said.
Speaking also the National Coordinator of the Save Nigeria Freight Forwarders, Importers and Exporters Coalition (SNFFIEC); Chief Osita Chukwu in a chat with our correspondent also said there is no sign that corruption has abated.
“The PSTT has not done anything, tell them that I say it is a lie. They have not reduced anything. They have not reduced anything; quote me. They have not reduced anything. We are still where we were. The only thing that can stop this is corruption in every nation is electronic transactions. When you put electronic devices, electronic template, then we use the electronic devices”, he said.
Similarly, a customs agent, Temitope Alayo said the PSTT’s presence has not deterred corruption; but has merely forced those involved to become more careful.
