Corruption At Nigerian Ports Killing Our Economy—-ICPC
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has said that Nigeria’s economy is dying gradually due to the high level of corruption and corrupt activities taking place in the nation’s ports.
The ICPC Chairman, Professor Bolaji Owasanoye, SAN disclosed this when the Executive Secretary and CEO of the Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC), Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Jime, paid him a courtesy visit in the Commission recently.
He said that foreign investors no longer have interest in investing in the country rather prefer investing in neighboring countries.
During the visit, Professor Owasanoye noted that while Nigeria had the capability to realize and sustain a robust economy, its biggest challenge was its inability to block economic leakages.
He also reiterated the commission’s commitment to tackle corruption at the Nigerian Ports.
The ICPC boss pledged the continued support of the Commission in fighting corruption at the ports through the joint efforts of the Ports Standing Task Team, but explained the inability to dedicate officers to be stationed at the ports full-time as the Commission does not have sufficient officers and it may end up being counter-productive on the long run.
He explained that the Commission is also in partnership with other agencies of government such as FRSC, DSS, etc, to prevent corrupt activities and promote accountability and transparency in their processes.
“Statutorily, we should assist but realistically, we are not able to cope due to limited funding and staffing.”
He therefore maintained that the collaboration of both agencies would be in pragmatic ways and assured of the Commission’s readiness to explore best ways to curb corrupt practices at the Nigerian Ports and other agencies that would need the Commission’s partnership.
Earlier in his address, the Executive Secretary/CEO of the Nigeria Shippers Council, Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Jime, expressed his gratitude to the ICPC for its collaborative support in the fight against corruption at the Ports which has improved the economic growth and development of the country.
Hon. Jime explained that since the adoption of the Nigerian Ports Process Manual (NPPM), a lot has been achieved in the regulation at the Ports including zero tolerance for gratification in cash and souvenirs, reduction of the average vessel demurrage and the average time for resolving complaints, savings of over $6million for the country from reduced demurrage costs, among other achievements.
All of these, he posited, would lead to an improvement in the country’s Ease of Doing Business and Corruption Perception Index rankings.
He however requested for direct attachment of ICPC personnel to the special intervention task force to carry out investigations and other operational activities that would enhance the enforcement drive against corruption at the ports.
Permit me to present my views also add my voice to well-meaning citizens on zero tolerance for cash gifts and souvenirs in ports.
ÑSC, ICPC and DSS inaugurated task team without looking at or addressing foundational problems prevalent in our ports coupled with the challenges of vessel owners, operators and charterers chaos by making specific provisions; as also prescribed in a vayage book called SHIP ENTRY GUIDE. This book contained all recognize chatted ports and jetties worldwide. the book listed attitudes of port agencies, what they demand and best they wished to be settled. They book also advised on what to give as entertainment on board( which some persons or agencies prefer to take way at the end as souvenirs.
Above all, the maritime sector in Nigeria is basically an informal sector where every approaches or operational bases were also informal( not regulated or coordinated by laws of the land).
kindly contact me on: 08033409621 and [email protected] for more details as i have limited space here to do so.
Regards
Babalola James Olatunde
Acting PRO Shipping Trade Practitioners Association of Nigeria
(STPAON).