World Bank Ranking: FG Urged to EnforcePort OffencesAct

FGhas been urged to enforce the provisions of the Port Related Offences, Amendment Act to reduce the lengthy, cumbersome and costly process in the nation’s ports in order to improve on the country’sWorld Bank Ease of Doing Business ranking.

The federal government has been urged to enforce the provisions of the Port Related Offences, Amendment Act to reduce the lengthy, cumbersome and costly process in the nation’s ports in order to improve on the country’s World Bank Ease of Doing Business ranking.

Of the 190 countries appraised on the ease of doing business in 2017, the World Bank ranked Nigeria 169th position, showing a marginal improvement from 170th ranking in 2016.

Consequently, Nigeria’s poor ranking has been inhibiting the flow of foreign direct investments (FDIs), thereby complicating the country’s economic challenges, deepening unemployment crisis and limit- ing investment opportunities for domestic investors among others.

However, the National President of the National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents (NCMDLCA), Mr. Lucky Amiwero has advised the government to enforce the provisions of the Act to improve the ranking of the Nigeria. He stated this in a petition addressed to the acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo on the implementation of the executive order issued by the federal government.

He said he is concerned that the executive order on port with regards to reduction of the number of federal government agents in the port is not being obeyed.

Amiwero said the Port Related Offences Amendment Act No. 61 of 1999, was enacted for the purpose of reducing the number of security agents entering the port and participating in the examination of goods and also to have a one-stop- shop process in the port.

“The provision as contained in Section 1-(1) states: (1) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in any law or enactment, including the Customs and Excise Management Act, the Nigeria Ports Authority Act of 1999 and the Federal Airport Authority Act of 1996, it shall be unlawful for any person, not being a duly authorised officer or agent of any of the following, namely-The Nigeria Customs Service, The Nigerian Ports Authority, The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria; The Nigeria Immigration service, The Port Police and inspection agent, Licensed Customs Agents under section 1-(1A) of the Act to do any of the acts or things mentioned in subsection (2) of this Section, not allowed to enter the port, “he said.

He added: “The provision of Section (1A) of the Act Provide for lead LEAD agency and a one-stop-shop process under the control of Nigeria Customs Service in line with paragraph 3 and 4 of the executive order on port operations.

“The provision states, without prejudice to the provision of subsection (1) of this section, the

Nigeria Customs Service may, if it considers it appropriate, by written notification, require the presence of any other relevant agency of the Federal Government in the course of the administration of the Customs and Excise Laws with respect to importation or exportation of goods in any Port. The Nigeria Customs Service is the Lead Agency in the Port to coordinate activities based on Importation and Exportation of goods in the Port.”

He stated that the government, in a bid to reduce the number of security agents in the ports issued out circulars that were never obeyed, which prompted the federal government under General Abdulsalami Abubakar enacted the Act 61 of 1999.