Vincent Toritseju
20 May 2018, Sweetcrude, Lagos — The Nigerian Government yesterday clarified the number of agencies allowed in the nation’s seaports as part of efforts aimed at improving efficiency in port operations.
A statement by the management of the Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, and signed by Abdullahi Goje, General Manager Corporate and Strategic communications department of NPA, noted that Nigeria’s Vice President and chairman of the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council, Professor Yemi Osinbajo a few months back directed the NPA to ensure that only eight federal government agencies are allowed to operate and have physical representation at all port locations in the country.
According to the directive, agencies allowed representation at the ports are Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Nigeria Police Force, NPF, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, Department of State Security, DSS.
Others are the Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, Nigerian Immigration Service NIS, and Port Health.
According to the statement, agencies not mentioned in the list above should vacate the ports premises and carry out their regulatory functions from outside the port locations.
Goje in the statement said NPA remains committed to the determination of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration to enhance ease of doing business and improve conditions under which business is carried out in all ports locations across the country.
He appealed for the support of all agencies and stakeholders in the Nigerian maritime sector towards actualizing the noble goal of making Nigeria the preferred hub for West and Central Africa.