Nigeria receives “Outstanding Achievement in Collective Action Award”
A prestigious international award has been awarded to Nigeria in recognition of the nation’s multifaceted efforts to fight corruption at the country’s seaports. This accomplishment won Nigeria and the Convention on Business Integrity (CBi) widespread accolades, notably the first-ever “Outstanding Achievement in Collective Action Award” from the Basel Institute on Governance, which is situated in Switzerland. It happened as a follow-up to the collaborative partnerships of the federal government, the private sector, and a Civil Society organization known as the CBi to reduce instances of corruption at the Seaports.
This information was made public recently during a call that a delegation from the CBi made to the State House in Abuja to pay a courtesy to the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo. In particular, due to the combined efforts of the federal government’s agencies, including the Shippers Council, DSS, ICPC, the Technical Unit on Governance & Anti-Corruption Reforms (TUGAR), the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA), and the CBi through the Maritime Anti-Corruption Network (MACN), the cost of berthing a ship in Nigeria has significantly decreased from $150,000 per vessel that enters the country to around $20,000.
The country’s success is attracting international recognition.
According to Mr. Olusoji Apampa, co-founder of CBi, the success achieved is already garnering international attention, as countries such as Egypt, Ukraine, and India intend to replicate the “Nigerian miracle” model to make similar improvements in their own port operations. The work done by the Nigerian Maritime Accident Complaints Network (MACN) was recognized with an international award. The MACN established a real-time Help Desk to address the issues and complaints of shipping businesses as soon as the ships arrive at the ports.
The international organization, with its headquarters in Switzerland, acknowledged the initiative for the collaborative effort in which government, business, and civil society have worked together to bring change. It was made possible by developing the first-ever, real-time Anti-Corruption Helpline in Nigerian Ports, which promptly reports and addresses corruption-related concerns. The organization also stated that since the federal government established the Help Desk in 2020, this has monitored the arrival of slightly less than 700 ships to Nigerian ports.
Buhari’s administration would support economic initiatives – Osinbajo.
Furthermore, the CBi explained to the vice president that without his assistance, would not have been feasible. The Vice President, who welcomed the delegation and award on behalf of the country, praised the work of the CBi and the MACN in conjunction with federal government agencies, saying that the Buhari administration will continue to back efforts to enhance the business environment and economy. He added that this is good news for the country’s anti-corruption efforts, adding that the fight against corruption needs to be kept on target.
Osinbajo said the government needs to capture the attention of young people by expanding the narrative on the necessity of integrity and the battle against corruption. The fact is that they must carry this through. In 2019, the ICPC successfully implemented a sting operation in support of the FG’s port reforms, which were based on Executive Order 001. The Shippers Council, Nigerian Ports Authority, and Department of State Services formed the Port Standing Task Team (PSTT) and Independent Corrupt Practices Commission in December 2020.
The PSTT ensures compliance and curbs illegal activities at the seaports.
Moreover, the Nigeria Ports Process Manual (NPPM) was established, and the PSTT, chaired by the Shippers Council, was charged with implementing and enforcing compliance. According to the MACN, prior to the formation of the PSTT, there were 266 instances in which officials at the ports in the operation of vessel clearance demanded huge sums of cash that were not accompanied by receipts. Since the PSTT was established in 2020, the number of instances of such practice has decreased to the current low of 128.
Related Links
NPA : Website
MACN: Website
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I’m surprised we won an anti corruption award. We are terribly known for corruption so it’s a good thing we had that award. I applaud the seaport officials for always doing their work without prejudice or injustice.
This is so surprising for us getting an international recognition about corruption at seaport I am overwhelmed right now just cannot find the right words to describe how I feel…it’s nice thought for something positibe
Certainly, it’s to one’s advantage Nigeria has received an international honor for its extensive efforts to eradicate corruption in its seaports.
It occurred as a direct result of the collaborative partnerships between the United States Federal Government, the commercial sector, and an organization from the Civil Society.
The Maritime Accreditation and Compliance Network (MACN) established a real-time Help Desk in order to address the concerns and questions raised by shipping companies as soon as the ships arrived at the ports.
Young people’s interest needs to be piqued by the government by means of a more comprehensive story about the importance of integrity and the fight against corruption.
It is, without a doubt, to one’s benefit that Nigeria has been awarded a prestigious international accolade for the significant efforts it has made to eliminate corruption at its seaports.
I want to express my gratitude to the officials at the seaport for the fair and impartial way in which they have always performed their duties.
Already, the Nigerian model is attracting attention from around the world, with countries like Egypt and India planning to implement similar reforms at their own ports.
I like that the MACN established a real-time Help Desk in order to handle the concerns and questions raised by shipping companies as soon as the ships arrived at the ports.
The government should increase the focus on the importance of integrity and the fight against corruption in order to attract young people.
It’s great that we won that honor despite our notorious reputation for graft, and I offer my sincere gratitude to the port authorities for always attending to their duties without favor or bias.
It show that the official in the seaport are fair and not corrupted this should be example for other people to be loyal and faith in serving their post
The government needs to tell a more thorough tale about the significance of upholding one’s integrity and the necessity of the battle against corruption in order to pique the interest of younger generations.
Congratulations to Nigeria for winning the seaport anti-corruption award. weldone
I applaud the seaport officials for always doing their work without prejudice or injustice.
Nigeria winning the seaport anti-corruption award still surprise
What an outstanding achievement by all the officials of the seaport in collectively stamping out corruption from the seaport operations. Thay deserve the award.
If this article is something to go by,it is a good development in the area of seaport management but for me I don’t believe because lots of shady deal are still going on in the seaport.
The Nigerian winning the seaport anti-corruption calls for great celebration. It is indeed an outstanding performance by the collective effort of the seaport officials.
The creation of the first-ever, 24/7 Anti-Corruption Helpline in Nigerian Ports, which swiftly reports and addresses corruption-related issues, made it possible. I congratulate Nigeria.
To stimulate the interest of younger generations, the government must present a more detailed story about the importance of maintaining one’s integrity and the urgency of the fight against corruption.