Usman directs single interface examination of cargoes at ports

Hadiza Bala Usman, managing director, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), has directed the immediate implementation of the single interface examination point for cargoes at all ports across the country. 

Ibrahim Nasiru, spokesman of the agency, disclosed this in a statement on Friday.

The implementation is in compliance with executive order 22, which Acting President Yemi Osinbajo signed on May 18.

“With the take-off of this policy, all agencies of government that are required to operate and domicile in the ports, would embark on their activities in the designated locations only,” the statement read.

“There will be no other form of examination outside of that single interface.

“Every agency will develop their back-end office operations to streamline what they require to support any historical structure they may have, but no agency should operate outside that interface at any of our port terminals.

“All agencies of government that are not domiciled in the ports but are required to provide services should liaise with the lead agency on the modalities to perform their operations when they are required.

“For record purposes, only the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Customs and Excise, Nigerian Immigration Service, Department of State Services (DSS), Port Health, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the Nigerian police, which were part of the presidential approval in 2011 are permitted to domicile within the ports.

“All other agencies must come in only when they are required.”

Bala expressed the gratitude of the management of the NPA to all government agencies and stakeholders who have collaborated with the authority to ensure the implementation of the order ahead of deadline.

She also said the doors of the authority were open to suggestions or complaints about challenges encountered in the implementation of the policy.