NPA Tasked Over ISPS Code Implementation
By Francis Ugwoke
As the global maritime community implements the International Ship and Port Facility (ISPS) Code, an international maritime security standard introduced by the International Maritime Organsiation (IMO) for member nations, freight forwarders have called on the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) to ensure that no genuine agent is denied access into the seaports as a result of the security measures.
President of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Alhaji Inua Mohammed was reacting to the statement credited to the Managing Director of the NPA, Chief Adebayo Sarumi that the organisation will henceforth be more strict in checking human traffic into the port.
Mohammed who accused the NPA management of failing to involve agents in the security arrangement as required by the ISPS code said that the Association will protest any secuity arrangement which denies access to its members.
The ANLCA boss noted that some customs agents have over 10 staff who are involved in operations at the ports, adding that whatever arrangement should accommodate their access into the port.
According to him, sometimes agents have three or more jobs to clear at the ports, adding that this means that accrediting one or two persons from one company to the port will not be enough to handle such jobs.
He suggested that the NPA should make available electronic access cards it is planning for people who have business to do at the ports.
"We want a situation where the electronic cards are issued in the same way that port passes are issued. We want those who have port passes to also be given electronic cards under the new dispensaion.", he said.
Commending the Federal Government and the management of the NPA for being fast in implementing the code, Mohammed added, "all we want is to ensure that agents do not suffer undue problem in doing business at the ports".
"Before now, we wanted to be part of the arrangement, but NPA or the Presidential IMplementation Committee on Safety and Security (PICOMS) did not to contact us", he said.
In a letter to the NPA boss, the Natiuonal Association of Govt. Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) had also stressed the need to involve the agents in fashioning out the process of identifying them.
"It is pertinent to inform the NPA management and the PICOMSS that the involvement of freight forwarders in drawing up a workable security plan for our ports should be given utmost priority. This is against the backdrop that freight forwarders are a key element in the supply chain, which is relevant to an effective implementation of the ISPS Code", Mr. Eugene Nweke, Head of Special Duties with NAGAFF wrote.
The letter added, "since the ISPS code clearly spelt out the need for a Port Facility Security Plan, which incorporates monitoring and controlling access and the activities of people and cargo, we shall be most grateful if the security department of the NPA can initiate a meeting with us for the harmonization of processes for the proper identification and monitoring of our members, in the course of their legitimate businesses in the ports".
|
