PSTT Funding: NIMASA, NPA Frustrating Fight Against Corruption At Ports
Mrs Magdalene Ajani, Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Transportation
There are indications that the continued refusal of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) to fund the activities of the Presidential Task Team (PSTT) could be affecting the team in it’s fight against corrupt practices at Nigerian ports
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Magdalene Ajani stated that both agencies including the Nigerian Shippers Council, were mandated to fund the PSTT with N60million each. But up till date, NIMASA and NPA has refused to support the PSTT.
Ajani who was represented by Babatunde Sule stated this at the 3rd round table discussion on Maritime Sector Reforms: “Consolidating The Gains,” organised by the Maritime Anti-Corruption Network (MACN) and Convention on Business Integrity (CBI) in Lagos on Wednesday.
The National Coordinator of PSTT, Moses Fadipe confirmed that Federal Government approved N180 million for the operations of the task team, saying that only Nigerian Shippers’ Council being the leading agency has responded to the Government’s instruction.
He revealed that other agencies, which include NIMASA and NPA, are yet to respond and the PSTT has not receive anything from them.
In his presentation earlier, he said the Nigerian maritime sector has made significant progress towards promoting efficiency and transparency in recent years.
For instance, he said the PSTT has played a significant role in transforming the sector through its commendable monitoring and enforcement of adherence to the provisions of the Nigerian Port Process Manual and in its discharge of other ancillary mandates.
“The task team’s interventions have led to a reduction in inefficiencies and corruption, and there has been a positive impact on the economy.
“Strict monitoring and enforcement of joint boarding of vessels procedure, transparency in monitoring, strict monitoring of joint cargo examinations, and the dismantling of illegal checkpoints and extortion points have all contributed to the improvement of the sector,” he said.
