Nigeria, Convention on Business Integrity win international port award

Collaborative efforts of the Federal Government with the private sector and a civil society group, Convention on Business Integrity (CBi), to curb corruption at the sea ports, may have paid off, winning first ever “Outstanding Achievement in Collective Action Award” of Switzerland-based Basel Institute on Governance.

Specifically, due to joint efforts of the Federal Government agencies, including Nigerian Shippers Council, Independent Corrupt Practices and other related Offences Commission (ICPC), Department of State Services (DSS) and Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), the Technical Unit on Governance & Anti-Corruption Reforms TUGAR, alongside the CBi, through the Maritime Anti-Corruption Network (MACN), the cost of a ship berthing in Nigeria – often aggravated by unreceipted extortions – has now drastically reduced from $150,000 per vessel to about $20,000.

This was disclosed when a CBi delegation paid a courtesy call on Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, yesterday.

According to CBi co-founder, Olusoji Apampa, who made the disclosure, the success is now attracting international reviews, as countries such as Egypt, Ukraine and India, are planning to adopt the “Nigerian miracle” model.

The international award recognised work of the Nigerian MACN, which created a real time-based help desk to resolve complaints and concerns of shipping companies as soon as they berth at the ports.

The Swiss-based international body recognised the initiative for the collective action where government, business and civil society have worked together for change.

This was made possible by the establishment and success recorded by the inaugural real-time Anti-Corruption Help Desk at Nigerian ports, which instantly reports and resolves corruption-related issues.

The CBi presented the international award to the Vice President during the courtesy call on Monday, informing him: “This would not have been possible without your interventions.”

Responding, Osinbajo praised the CBi and MACN and others for the feat, pledging t President Muhammadu Buhari administration’s continued support for initiatives that promote the economy.