By Martin Nwamadi
Nation Building is a collective effort, a phenomenal task undertaken by all strata of the society be it in public or private sectors but must be shouldered by the national or sub national governments.
To achieve sustainable growth in the economy and build modern infrastructure, government must therefore have the vision, flexibility to embrace change, command influence, and operate within the ethics and norms of the society. A government that constantly breaks its laws weakens its foundation which in-turn germinates corrupt tendencies.
For decades, Nigerian Ports have been branded as a haven for corruption and extortion. This toga has not gone down well with the Federal Government and its agencies at the Maritime sector. Infact, several intervention committees / task forces have been constituted by the Federal Ministry of Transportation to reduce the cancer trying to undermine our economic growth. But all to no measureable success.
Recently, the Federal Ministry of Transportation after an extensive and through ‘Laboratory’ analysis going by the rules of engagement of the National Port Process Manual (NPPM) which was launched December 9, 2020, and this gave birth to Standard Operating Procedure (SOP). The SOP is to say the least ‘Bible’ on how government agencies and private sector corporations in the Maritime sector have to operate.