The Minister of Interior, Lt Gen. Abdulrahman Bello Dambazau (rtd), has inaugurated the Presidential Committee on Improvement of Security Operations at Nigeria’s Ports, set up as part of strategy for successful implementation of the Executive Order 001.
At the inauguration in Abuja, the Minister stated that improved operations at the ports formed an integral part of the larger Ease of Doing Business reforms of the administration.
The Minister charged the Committee to assist in improving the security services at the nation’s ports, which would ultimately facilitate the implementation of the Executive Order OO1 that is hinged on promoting transparency and efficiency in the business environment.
The Committee’s terms of reference include recommending measures to promote ease of doing business at Nigeria’s ports, while ensuring maximum security according to global best practice; and assessing the present deployment of personnel from different Agencies working in the airports, seaports and land borders with a view to reducing it.
The rest are identifying the essential agencies/desks needed for efficient operations and their appropriate locations within the ports; and sensitizing ports’ personnel and the public on the new policy and practice of doing business at Nigeria’s ports/borders in strict compliance with international best practices.
The Committee, to be chaired by the Minister of Interior, has as members the Minister of State for Aviation, the Director General of the Department of Security Services, the Comptrollers-General of Nigerian Customs Service and the Nigeria Immigration Service and a representative each from Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC).
The rest are Chairman/CEO of the Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Director General of Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Managing Director of Nigeria Ports Authority and the Director General, Federal Airports of Nigeria (FAAN), while the Deputy Director (Permanent Secretary Office) of the Ministry of Interior will serve as the Secretary.