Acting Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority NPA, Mohammed Bello-Koko

The Nigerian Ports Authority NPA is concluding plans to go into partnership with the United Kingdom Border Force with a view to enhancing security at the nation’s seaports, facilitation of legitimate trade, especially the movement of persons and goods at all seaports in the country.

The Border Force is a law enforcement agency charged by the British Government to manage immigration and Customs checks at all seaports and airports in the UK.

The partnership covers security measures, coordination, information sharing and joint operations, designed to check persons or activities that could cause harm to port operations and investments in the nation’s port industry.

It also seeks to safeguard shipping and cargo traffic, improve intelligence gathering and deepen revenue from maritime trade.

Acting Managing Director of the NPA, Mohammed Bello-Koko, who played host to officials of the UK Border Force during a working visit, described the partnership as a strategic relationship with long term economic benefits to Nigeria and Britain.

Represented by the Executive Director, Marine and Operations, Hon. Onari Brown, the acting MD eulogised the UK agency for the good work it is doing to safeguard the economic and national interests of Britain. He expressed confidence in the ability of the partnership to engender efficiency and value for money in all aspects of port business in Nigeria.

It was further gathered that the collaboration will entail the establishment of an Electronic Cargo Targeting System ECTS, a Joint Port Control Unit JPU and a Mobile Task Force MPF with the capacity to enhance the work of Nigeria’s law enforcement agencies operating within the nation’s maritime domain by providing real-time data and business arterial intelligence tools.

Furthermore, the partnership would foster critical and sustainable capacity building and manpower development; prioritise the acquisition, deployment and utilisation of resources sensitive to threats and issues related to maritime security.

While speaking during the event, Regional Operations Manager West Africa of the UK Border Force, Kris Hawksfield, commended NPA for providing a safe environment for port services in the country, adding that he is optimistic that the partnership will further enhance Nigeria’s border management capabilities; including strengthening the capacity of border law enforcement agencies to protect revenue, to disrupt criminal activities such as money laundering, drugs, human trafficking and terrorism, among others.

 Other benefits he said to curtail incidences of illicit trade in and out of the country, better compliance to trade laws, culminating in improved performance of Nigeria’s seaports and increase in the country’s global reputation, among several other benefits.