Following a recent directive from the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), the Nigerian Ports Authority has disclosed that only eight federal government agencies are allowed to operate and have physical representation at all port locations in the country.
The Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) had earlier directed the Nigerian Ports Authority to ensure strict compliance to the 26th October, 2011 presidential directive on agencies permitted to operate in the port locations.
According to a statement issued in Lagos by the General Manager, Corporate and Strategic Communications NPA, Abdullahi Goje, the agencies permitted to operate and have physical representation in the port locations are; Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA); Nigerian Customs Service (NCS); Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and Nigeria Police.
Others are; Department of State Security (DSS), Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), Port Health and the Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
The statement further note that 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, had developed standard operating procedures to facilitate their seamless operation.
“The NPA remains committed to the determination of the President Muhammadu Buhari’s 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.
“The Authority solicits for the kind support of all agencies and stakeholders in the Nigerian maritime sector towards actualizing the noble goal of making Nigeria a destination of choice for all legitimate businesses”, the statement read in part.
By this development, it means that agencies like the Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON), National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), the Nigerian Agricultural Quarantine Service among others are not to have physical presence at the ports but could only be invited if needed at the ports to participate in cargo examination.
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