Managing Director of Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA), Mr Mohammed Bello-Koko, on Tuesday dismissed insinuations of possible connivance between clearing agents and staff members of the Authority, saying that “NPA does not handle cargoes anymore.”
According to him: “it is the terminal operators that are handling cargoes. So, a clearing agent that wants to clear his cargo actually goes to the terminal operator and does his processes.”
Koko spoke during a question-and-answer session at the weekly media briefing of State House Correspondents by Ministries, Departments and Agencies organized by the Presidential Communication Team.
He said there were some fees payable to Nigerian Ports Authority, adding that the prescribed fees were online.
“Everybody knows the fees; there’s transparency; a clearing agent cannot ask you to pay more than you are supposed to. That is given. But over 90% of what you will pay as an importer is related to either customs duty, or payment to the terminal operators, and so on and so forth.
“It is the terminal operator that pays Nigerian Ports Authority. However, what we keep doing is the regular stakeholder meetings at various ports’ locations on a quarterly basis.
“And then there is the stakeholders’ meetings; we expect everyone that is a stakeholder in our industry to come in there and get information and feedback. Our website is interactive. Our SERVICOM department is doing a very good job. And we’re ready to answer any questions and inquiries as the need arises,” he said.
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