Amaechi says despite Successes in Ports Operations, Challenges Remain Enormous

04 Apr Amaechi says despite Successes in Ports Operations, Challenges Remain Enormous

The Minister of Transportation, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, has said despite successes recorded in ensuring efficiency in the ports in Nigeria, several challenges still confront operations.

Amaechi who spoke at the “Roundtable discussion Agenda,” organised by the Convention on Business Integrity (CBI) and the Maritime Anti-Corruption Network (MACN), in Abuja, admitted that red tapes, rent seeking, corrupt demands, human and vehicular congestion and illegal charges remained critical issues to be resolved.

The minister, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr. Magdalene Ajani, however, stated that port users are now able to demand, track and ensure great compliance with standard operating procedures by government agencies.

He explained that this has led to a reduction in incidences of corruption and corrupt demands, as it relates to goods clearance as well as strengthening the capacity of government to establish compliance systems.

With collaboration from civil society groups and other stakeholders like the MACN, Amaechi noted that the Nigerian maritime sector was poised to further institutionalise its reforms.

By doing so, the minister stressed that Nigeria would become strategically positioned to benefit from the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCTA) and reclaim its pride of place among West African maritime states.

“It is important to note that despite these successes, challenges of port administration are still enormous and include excessive delays in import and export processes, red tape, rent seeking, corrupt demands, human and vehicular congestion in and around the ports and illegal charges leading to the high cost of business operations,” he explained.

Thus, the minister stated that the momentum and gains achieved in ports administration will greatly depend on institutionalising a system whereby the operational gains are protected, adding that such a system demands a robust compliance function to ensure that the maritime sector remains fit for purpose.