The Maritime Anti Corruption Network (MACN) and Convention Business Integrity (CBI) have tasked operators in the haulage sub sector of the shipping industry to work closing in order to address the corruption and other challenges affecting movement of cargoes along the port corridors.
Speaking at an event organised by the MACN and CBI, with the theme “Addressing The Corruption Issues at Nigeria’s Port Corridor”, Chief Executive Officer, CEO CBI, Mr. Soji Apampa stressed the need for all stakeholders to come together to tackle the issue of corruption that affect the nation’s maritime industry.
The CBI boss also disclosed that a committee would be set up , comprising transport associations and unions,freight forwarding associations, maritime unions and other informal sector players in finding lasting solutions to the challenges facing port operations along the corridors
Apampa affirmed that the political will of the government could proffer lasting solutions to the issues of corruption along the port corridors.
He maintained that the only way to get the political will is to have a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) on what state and non state actors are suppose to do to authenticate their demands.
He urged truckers to define the parameter of what is supposed to happen, rather than what the complains are, adding that figures and statistical data of attacks on truck drivers and motor boys , cargo vandals and extortions should be stated as factual evidences to their cry.
“What are the expectations of behaviour from both the truckers and the officials who are there; whether it is the state actors or non-state actors? Otherwise, if you do not define the parameter of what is supposed to happen, then, what are you complaining about?”, he quizzed.
Speaking further said, he noted “Hence, there is a need for solutions to address the issue. One of the critical points to look at in tackling corruption around the port corridors is political will. When there is political will, it will enable people to do things in a manner that is acceptable”, he opined.
“How to get the political will to be a concrete solution is when they said these are the behaviours that are acceptable by the people who are there. If they behave any differently, here is the punishment and here is the remedy. When you report any offender that behaves differently and they punish them, they will know that there is political will,” he suggested.
On his part , Chairman of Association of Maritime Truck Owners AMATO; Chief Remi Ogungbemi opined that “There should be a sincere commitment by the top hierarchy of traffic and security enforcement agencies to tackle corruption by collapsing all illegal checkpoints, eliminate extortion, end the impunity, illegalities and lawless activities of the union and local hoodlums in the ports corridor.
According to him, “The birds of corruption, extortion, and lawlessness that is a cat walking on high heels and dancing in our ports corridor has its drummers in the bush nearby.
Primarily, he lamented that “The arrogance, lawlessness, and impunity with which uniform extortion bandits mount illegal checkpoints and extort truckers along the port corridors is an indication of legitimacy and support for their illegalities from the top hierarchy,” he added.
Earlier , President of Council of Maritime Truck Unions and Associations (COMTUA), Comrade Adeyinka Aroyewun alleged that foreign truck owners are given preferential treatment above indigenous truck owners by the NCS and shipping companies in the country.
He further alleged that as against the three days demurrage-free period enjoyed by indigenous importers, some of the foreign companies operating in the country enjoy as much as 20 days demurrage-free period.
Aroyewun further lamented that many truck owners are no longer in business owing to foreigners taking over their jobs.
He said despite foreigners taking over their jobs, indigenous truckers have always been the victim of government policies and enforcement agencies.
By Roland Ekama
