It was not clear whether the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) smartly considered the threats of what can be described as intergovernmental legal action that forced the federal agency to reconsider its initial stance, before it made a U-Turn and issued a statement stating the 2011 Presidential Directive to reduce agencies operating at the ports did not include the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
Otherwise, the first statement by the NPA, had excluded the NDLEA from agencies mandated to operate at the ports.
Business Hilights recalls that the initial statement by the Principal Manager, Public Affairs of NPA, Ibrahim Nasir, on Tuesday in Lagos, listed eight government agencies as those allowed to be at the ports. They agencies, according to Nasir, include Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Nigeria Police, Department of State Service (DSS), Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) and Port Health Services, excluding NDLEA.
But Nasiru later stated that the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) had been approved to operate at the ports, saying the directive was communicated to the Managing Director of the NPA through a memo by the Federal Ministry of Transportation.
According to him, the memo indicated that a methodology which would ensure that only relevant cargoes were inspected by the NDLEA would be worked out.
While making it clear that any other agency not mentioned in the list would remain outside the port premises as the authority would develop standard procedures to facilitate their seamless operations, the statement assured that “The NPA remains committed to the determination of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration to ease of doing business in the country”.
“It also remains committed to the implementation of the Executive Orders recently issued by the Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, as well as the improvement of conditions under which business is carried out in all ports across the country.
“We solicit for the kind support of all agencies and stakeholders in the Nigerian maritime sector toward actualising the noble goal of making Nigeria a destination of choice for all legitimate businesses,’’ Nasir added.
It would be recalled that shortly after the initial statement, NDLEA boss had reacted saying his agency will continue to operate at the ports and may initiate a legal action if pushed to the wall after all.
