BY Oluseyi Awojulugbe
The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has given some agencies a 24-hour ultimatum to vacate seaports.
Among the affected agencies are National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON).
According to a statement signed by Abdullahi Goje, general manager, corporate and strategic communications of NPA, the directive is in line with a new order issued to NPA by the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC).
PEBEC directed NPA to ensure strict compliance to the October 26, 2011, presidential directive on agencies permitted to operate in the ports.
The NPA, therefore, reiterated that only eight federal government agencies are allowed to operate and have physical representation at all port locations in the country.
Goje said the agencies allowed representation at the ports were: 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), Port Health and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
He said all other agencies not mentioned on the list should remain outside the port premises, adding that the Nigerian Customs Service, which is the lead agency for inspection of cargoes, has developed standard operating procedures to facilitate their seamless operation.
“The NPA remains committed to the determination of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration to enhance the ease of doing business in the country and the improvement of conditions under which business is carried out in all ports across the country,” he said.
“The NPA solicits for the kind support of all agencies and stakeholders in the Nigerian maritime sector towards actualising the noble goal of making Nigeria a destination of choice for all legitimate businesses.”
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