THE recent downsizing of agencies operating at the ports from 14 to six was long overdue, having been borne out of the long delay that characterises cargo clearance and turn-around time at the ports, which have given Nigeria bad image, quite unlike the situation elsewhere. The action should genuinely be tailored towards removing the bottlenecks encountered by port users. If that happens, it will mark the beginning of a new era of efficient ports operation in Nigeria.Streamlining the number of agencies authorised to operate at the ports in order not to jeopardise efficiency is encouraging. The situation at the ports is chaotic and frustrating due to the involvement of too many agencies, which occasion duplication of duties. Ultimately, this hinders efficient and effective ports operation.Announcing the reduction by the Federal Government, the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, during a facility tour of the Apapa Ports in Lagos stated that the presence of multiple agencies was responsible for the delay encountered during and before the clearing of goods.According to her, the aim of government is to reduce the time of clearing goods from weeks to hours, stressing, 'We want to reduce the cost of clearing and also achieve a fast turn-around time'.To realise these objectives, the Minister issued a two-week ultimatum to eight agencies to leave the ports forthwith. The affected agencies are the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON); the National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC); the Directorate of Naval Intelligence (DNI); the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA); the Federal Environmental Protection Agency (FEPA); the Plant Quarantine; the National Environmental Regulatory and Standards Agency (NESREA) and the Cargo Tracking Note (CTN).The agencies authorised to operate at the ports henceforth include Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, Nigerian Ports Authority, Nigeria Customs Service, Immigration, Police and Port Health Service.The dislodged agencies were accused of working against international best practices, which is not in Nigeria's national economic interest. According to the Minister, their services would still be needed but only when they are invited by the Customs.This is ideal because of its correspondence with international practice. The Customs and Immigration are the two principal agencies found in most ports around the world. The others come only when they are invited.Furthermore, the Minister directed the Customs to work on a 24-hour shift system as obtained elsewhere to ensure efficiency. She also announced the abolition of the Cargo Tracking Note collected by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).The reforms, the Minister stated, are aimed at reducing the time spent in clearing goods; stop extortion and dismantle all unnecessary checkpoints at the ports.There is no doubt that the Nigerian ports system is afflicted with massive corruption, and is consequently ripe for far reaching restructuring and transformation as being initiated by the Minister. The changes should be the beginning of more reforms that would make our ports attractive and cost-effective.It is common knowledge that Nigerian ports are among the clumsiest, most inefficient and costly in the world. By that situation, the country has lost huge revenue, as most importers prefer to divert goods to neighbouring ports in Cotonou and Lome, to avoid the bottlenecks encountered in Nigeria and to cut cost. It is heartening that this unhealthy situation is being addressed at last.However, the problem is not solved merely by removing the affected agencies, as they were introduced in the first place to solve specified problems. Government and the Ports authorities must find better and less clumsy ways to resolve those problems. This can be achieved through employment of modern technologies for detecting fake, adulterated and contraband goods, including drugs and weapons that may be concealed. The days of manual searching and inspection of goods are over.The absence of the right equipment could prompt desperate and unscrupulous businessmen to flout the country's rule against contraband. Already, the country is flooded with all manner of substandard goods largely because the agencies compromised their offices.The Customs and the Nigerian Ports Authority need to upgrade their services, taking advantage of modern technology, including the use of scanners.
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