Vacate seaports or face arrest – NPA warns NAFDAC, SON

Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has given a 24-hour ultimatum to
officials of National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control
(NAFDAC), Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON), among others to
vacate the seaports or risk being arrested.

The directive is in line with a new order issued to NPA by the
Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC).

PEBEC had directed NPA to ensure strict compliance to the October 26,
2011, presidential directive on agencies permitted to operate in the
ports.

General Manager, Corporate and Strategic Communications of NPA,
Abdullahi Goje, in a statement, said the agencies allowed
representation at the ports were: Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA);
Nigerian Customs Service (NCS); Nigerian Maritime Administration and
Safety Agency (NIMASA); Nigeria Police; Department of State Security
(DSS); Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), Port Health and the
National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) should remain at the
ports.

"The NPA remains committed to the determination of the President
Muhammadu Buhari administration to enhance the ease of doing business
in the country and the improvement of conditions under which business
is carried out in all ports across the country.

"The NPA solicits for the kind support of all agencies and
stakeholders in the Nigerian maritime sector towards actualising the
noble goal of making Nigeria a destination of choice for all
legitimate businesses," Goje said.