LONDON: The Federal Government has introduced the Standard Operating Procedures, SOP, with the aim of combating corruption in Lagos ports. This was just as the Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, has commenced moves to sanction terminal operators who violate the concession agreement entered into with the government regarding developmental plans. To fight corruption at the ports, the Federal Ministry of Transportation, yesterday, introduced the Standard Operating Procedures, SOP and the Port Services Support Portal, PSSP, in the Lagos Ports Complex.
The SOP was designed by the Federal Government to stop illicit activities, corruption, increase transparency, accountability and to make Nigeria Ports users friendly. Speaking at the official launch in Lagos, the Minister of Transportation, Mr Rotimi Amaechi said that the Maritime Anti-Corruption Network and the UNDP had in 2013 noted that the pre-requisites for port effectiveness and efficiency in Nigeria are in short supply and recommended intervention by government. Amaechi, who was represented by the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, Ms Hajia Usman, said “As you are aware, the corruption risk assessment project is an anti corruption project focusing on strategies to reduce corruption in the Nigeria Port sector.” NPA to sanction erring terminal operators Meanwhile, the NPA has threatened erring terminal operators who violate the concession agreement entered into with the government regarding developmental plans.
Speaking during a recent tour of Lagos ports, MD of the NPA Mrs Usman said that most of the operators have defaulted in developing the port facilities and in its revenue generation drive for the government. Usman also said the Ports Authority will soon embark on an aggressive collection of debts, which will be paid in foreign currencies. She said, “We have had discussions with the terminal operators around critical areas such as port development that they have not complied to. I have raised that with them.
