FG to fight corruption in seaports through SOP and PSSP
Posted by admin | 8 years ago | 2,200 times
The federal government, yesterday, launched the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), the Nigerian seaports and the Port Service Support Portal (PSSP) to rid the country’s seaports of corruption.
Speaking at the launching in Abuja, the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo said the two platforms would boost integrity and minimise corruption at the nation’s seaports.
In his words; “This is a major achievement in enhancing improved integrity and corrupt free system and the handling of complaints.”
Osinbajo who said the initiatives were in tandem with the administration’s emphasis on strong collaboration among government agencies noted that the “SOP and PSSP will not only streamline processes of operation but will serve as an important component of the need of our commitment to drive inclusive economic growth and development for the country.”
The Vice-President stated that the initiatives also rhyme with government’s resolve to make doing business environment in Nigeria more friendly. He went on to say that the ports must be made easier to do business for the country to achieve diversification of the economy.
“Many countries of the world have proven that without relying on any natural resources but simply relying on efficient procedures in port activities a nation can position itself as major exporter and can earn significant resources by just being more efficient”
“It is important to bear in mind that technology is one of the most important ways by which we can control corruption aside from the consequences of ensuring that corrupt practice faces its consequences the use of technology is possibly the most important ways of ensuring that public service delivery," He added
The SOP however, is a guide to Personnel of Government Agencies, Terminal Operators, Shipping Companies, Freight Forwarders, Road Hauliers, Stevedores, Marine Surveyors, Other operators in the Ports and Users of Services in the Nigerian Ports and the General Public on the provision and use of Ports services.
The other platform, the PSSP is a central mechanism for services support and pre-emptive resolution of service impediments bought brought forward by users; an online real tine public complaints/redress mechanism while the PSSP is domiciled and managed by the interim port economic regulator, the Nigerian Shippers Council and will be supervised by the project steering committee and the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
Both initiatives are driven by the Ministry of Transportation with the Nigerian Shippers Council as the main anchor. On his part, the Minister of Transportation, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, said the SOP is regarded as a work reference guide that informs the general public on the process map of each port agency and operator.
“It will thus guide customers on what to expect at the ports and what they need to do to receive quality services. The SOP helps to establish operational standards, foster accountability and thus serve as a corruption prevention tool.”
“With this launch today, we are certain that unwholesome practices by service providers at the ports will greatly reduce, if not completely eliminated. It will be easier to detect culprits and defaulters and sanction them,” he assured.
Source: Vanguard
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