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By Akpan David, Calabar
Critical stakeholders in the maritime sector of Nigeria’s economy in the south south geographical region have been trained on how to improve on Standard Operating Practice, (SOP), in the six functional Nigeria ports.
The workshop held in Calabar for senior and middle level staff of associated security agencies, including Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Standard Operating Practice, Nigerian Ports Authority, as well as the media participated in a 2-day workshop where they were taken through most process to stem out corruptions in their lines of duties.
The 2-day training was on capacity building on compliance function within the Nigerian maritime sector.
It was implemented by the Maritime Anti-Corruption Network (MACN) and the Convention on Business Integrity (CBi), in partnership with the Technical Unit on Government and Anti-Corruption Reforms (TUGAR), Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and the Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC).
The purpose of the training was to equip port officials based at ports and terminals across Nigeria to strengthen their capacity to effectively carry out their role which involves promoting and maintaining compliance and ethical practices in all areas of their work.
Speaking in her welcome address, Jane Onwumere, the Head of TUGAR said the training was appropriate as it will improve on what is currently being done to improve port operations in Nigeria.
In her address which was presented by Mrs. Bosede Oguntuberu, she said, “Since the conduct of the Corruption Risk Assessment in the six Nigerian seaports of Apapa and Tincan in Lagos, Port Harcourt, Onne, Calabar and Warri, the Technical Unit on Governance and Anti-Corruption Reforms (TUGAR) and the Project Steering Committee (PSC) of the CRA Project has been working assiduously in driving the implementation of the recommendations/Integrity plan of the CRA report.
“This training programme is therefore appropriate and relevant to the current efforts to strengthen and improve the work that is currently being done.
“We are proud to be identified with this initiative because of our conviction that this could lead to actionable steps and ensure corrective actions are taken where needed.
“This Compliance training is aimed at working together with all the agencies in the ports to strengthen implementation of the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) and the Nigerian Ports Process Manual (NPPM) which focus on the seamless work flow of all the agencies in the ports, provide for efficient processes, and enhance service delivery.
“It is also expected that the result of this training will Increase transparency and accountability in the port processes while also improving inter-agency cooperation and coordination”, she said.
In his goodwill message, Vivek Menon, the Associate Director of the MACN said what they are trying to do is to further the work the port reform sector has taken.
“We are trying to see how we can, through engagement and interaction have some kind of understanding of global port operations.
“With the reform that is being taken, there is a clear consequence for those who do not follow SOP and we are monitoring this very carefully”, he said.
On his part, Emmanuel Bosah, the director of programmes with the CBI said the training will “help officials to improve compliance at the ports.
“We will also work with the officials to improve on the standing of SOP and also understand the improvements in the implementation of compliance structures at the port levels.
“In addition, we hope to brainstorm on solutions to compliance gaps in the port systems”, he said.
