BY Wasilat Azeez
The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) is set to partner with the United Kingdom Border Force to improve security at all seaports in the country.
According to NAN, Olaseni Alakija, general manager, corporate & strategic communications of NPA, disclosed this on Friday.
The Border Force (BF) is a law-enforcement command responsible for frontline border control operations at air, sea and rail ports in the United Kingdom.
Alakija quoted Mohammed Bello-Koko, NPA’s acting managing director, to have said the partnership was also aimed at facilitating the legitimate movement of persons and goods in and out of the country.
The partnership covers security measures, coordination, information sharing and joint operations to check persons or activities that might cause harm to operations and investments, Bello-Koko said.
He described the collaboration with the UK Border Force as a “strategic relationship” with long term economic benefits to Nigeria and to Britain.
“The collaboration with the NPA entails the establishment of an Electronic Cargo Targeting System, a Joint Port Control Unit and a Mobile Task Force,” he said.
“It comes with the capacity to enhance the work of Nigerian law enforcement agencies operating within the nation’s maritime domain by providing real-time data and business arterial intelligence tools.
“Furthermore, the partnership will foster critical and sustainable capacity building and manpower development.
“It will prioritise the acquisition, deployment and utilisation of resources sensitive to threats and issues related to maritime security.’’
According to the NPA boss, the partnership will seek to safeguard shipping and cargo traffic, improve intelligence gathering and deepen revenue from maritime trade.
In his remarks, Kris Hawksfield, regional operations manager, West Africa, UK Border Force, commended NPA for providing a safe environment for port services in the country.
Hawksfield said he was optimistic that the partnership would enhance Nigeria’s border management capabilities.
He said that it included strengthening the capacity of border law enforcement agencies to protect revenue; to disrupt criminal activities like money laundering, drugs, human trafficking and terrorism.
Hawksfield said other benefits were a decrease in incidences of illicit trade in and out of the country, as well as better compliance to trade laws.
He said this would culminate in improved performance of Nigerian ports and increase the country’s global reputation.
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