As the controversy generated by the reduction of government agencies at the nations sea ports rages, the National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents has faulted the claim by some affected agencies that the decision will adversely affect the security system at the ports.The Minister of Finance, Mrs. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, who is also the coordinating minister for the economy, had three weeks ago, asked eight out of the 15 agencies at the ports to vacate the place and declared that they constituted encumbrances in the cargo clearing process.Those allowed to stay included the Nigerian Ports Authority, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, the Nigeria Customs Service, Port Health, Nigeria Immigration Service, Port Police and the State Security Service.Notable among those asked to leave the ports are the Standard Organisation of Nigeria, the National Agency for Foods and Drug Administration Control and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency.But SON and NAFDAC claimed that their ouster from the port would open up the place for massive importation of fake and sub-standard products into the country. The NDLEA believed that its eviction would affect the war against narcotic drugs and give a leeway to the drug czars to freely import hard drugs into the country.However, NCMDLCA insists that the reduction was not merely an executive order. It said that the action taken by President Goodluck Jonathan through Okonjo-Iweala was very much in line with the ports related offences Act 61 of 1999 as amended.The NCMDLCA President, Mr. Lucky Amiwero, said Section 1 of the Act states explicitly the agencies that should be in the ports and confers on the Nigeria Customs Service the role of a lead agency and the power to invite any other agency (if the need arises) in writing over matters of importation or exportation of goods in any port."We hereby unequivocally throw our weight behind Okonjo- Iweala and her drive to achieve a seamless and productive port regime in Nigeria," Amiwero said. He added that the directive by government should be accepted and seen in the light of government avowed commitment to operate on the basis of the rule of law, not on impulse or sentiment.He added that it was in response to demands of port users who suffered delay and additional cost of doing business because of some of these agencies.He said, "Agencies of government asked to leave the port are hereby advised to shun angling, lobbying and subtle blackmail all aimed at forcing government to reverse itself on this popular decision that will not only make our ports more attractive for legitimate trade but will also improve the nations economy and achieve governments drive for increased cargo throughput, job creation, reduction in inflation and uniformity of government agencies operation with the NCS as lead agency."He said that the SON Conformity Assessment Programme as being presently implemented was illegal as it was not backed by any law. Amiwero said, "The insistence of SON to be at the ports implementing rules that are not known to law is also tantamount to running a lawless port system. The legislation to drive SONCAP is not in Place; the process is (pre-shipment inspection) conducted abroad, with high cost in foreign currency, which contravenes the practice of destination inspection."
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