27 June 2017, Sweetcrude, Lagos – The Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, has reiterated the subsistence of a 2011 presidential directive for the reduction of the number of agencies that are to operate and have physical representation at the ports to eight.
The directive communicated to the Managing Director of the NPA in an October 26, 2011 memo from the Federal Ministry of Transportation, listed the eight approved agencies as the Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA; Nigerian Customs Service, NCS; Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA; Nigeria Police; Department of State Security, DSS; Nigerian Immigration Service, NIS; and Port Health.
According to a statement by the company signed by Ibrahim Nasiru, Principal Manager, Public Affairs, the directive stated that while the Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, should remain at the ports, a methodology which would ensure that only relevant cargoes are inspected by the agency, should be worked out.
NPA said other agencies not mentioned in the list should remain outside the port premises while it worked to develops standard procedures to facilitate their seamless operation.
The authority said it remained committed to the determination of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration to improve the ease of doing business as well as the improvement of conditions under which business is carried out in all ports across the country.
