The Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) has directed the Nigerian Ports Authority to ensure strict compliance to the 26th October, 2011 presidential directive on agencies permitted to operate in the ports. In line with the directive, the NPA also said that only eight federal government agencies are allowed to operate and have physical representation at all port locations in the country.
In a statement signed by the General Manager, Corporate and Strategic Communication, NPA, Mr. Abdullahi Goje said that the agencies allowed to have representation at the port include 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 Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
Other agencies not mentioned in the list above should remain outside the port premises as the Nigerian Customs Service, which is the lead agency for inspection of cargoes, has developed standard operating procedures to facilitate their seamless operation. Goje explained that 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 called for the kind support of all other agencies and stakeholders in the Nigerian maritime sector towards actualising the noble goal of making Nigeria a destination of choice for all legitimate businesses. It will recalled that some agencies like the Standard Organisation Nigeria, SON and the National Agency For Food and Drug Administration And Control, NAFDAC, had made cases for their agencies to be present at the ports.
