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FG Tasks MDAs On Transparency

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The Federal Government recently urged Directors of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) in the country to promote transparency in their service delivery.
Acting Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mrs Habiba Lawal, made the call in Abuja at the workshop for MDAs.
The workshop was on the operationalisation of the Executive Order on promotion of Transparency and Efficiency in the Business Environment in the country.
Lawal, who was represented by Amb. Olakunle Bamgbose, Permanent Secretary, Political and Economic Affairs, OSGF, urged the participants to ensure a public service that was devoid of corruption.
She said that they should ensure openness in the conduct of their functions, contracting procedures and publishing contracts in order to achieve the objectives of the Executive Order.
She said that promoting transparency would create an enabling environment for business to thrive and boost economic activities in the country.
The Acting SGF stated that the Executive Order was one of the measures being deployed by the current administration to achieve improved business environment in Nigeria, for accelerated diversification of the economy.
According to her “The operationalisation of the executive order is expected to usher in a new vista in the conduct of government business that will encourage more commitment in the delivery of public services to avoid indiscipline and ineptitude.
“To deliver expected promises of the Change Agenda, the civil service must lead the way as the main organ saddled with the responsibility for efficient implementation of government policies and programmes.
“The executive order seeks to promote vibrant local industry by mandating MDAs to ensure at least 40 per cent local content in all procurement procedures,’’ she said.
Similarly, Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Winifred Oyo-Ita,said that the Civil Service was charged with the responsibility of implementing the executive order for effective nation building.
Oyo-Ita, who was represented by Chinyeaka Ohaa, Permanent Secretary, Common Services Office (CSO), Office of the Head of Service of the Federation, added that change was inevitable in achieving a greater nation.
She described civil service as the machinery for implementing government policies and should be committed to the executive order, saying “I want to implore you all to demonstrate strong commitment and expertise required to drive this policy of government to a fusion.
“Government is committed to creating transparency in a business environment and to create policies that will motivate investors to invest their funds and boost economy of the country.
“Hope that all companies that have relocated from the country will be convinced to return due to the enabling environment that has been created by this administration.
The Tide gathered that Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, on Thursday, May 18, signed an Executive Order on Transparency and improving the business environment in Nigeria.
The executive order focuses on five main planks namely: Transparency, Default Approvals, Entry Experience of Travelers and Visitors, Port Operations and One Government.
The workshop focused on the Executive Order 1 (EO01) which is Transparency; it states that all MDAs shall publish a complete list of all fees, timelines, conditions and requirements for obtaining licences and approvals.
It also states that Head of MDAs must ensure that list is verified and kept up to date at all times.
Each MDA shall publish list on its premises on its website and if there is a conflict between a published list and an unpublished list, the published list shall prevail.
The deadline for the implementation of the EO01 is June 8, 2017.

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NPA Assures On Staff Welfare 

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The Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, has said the management will continue to accompany its port infrastructure  and equipment  modernization drive  with the development of the welfare of its personnel.
Dantsoho made the disclosure recently while responding to the commendation by the Maritime Workers Union (MWUN) and the senior Staff Association of Statutory Corporations and Government-Owned Companies (SSASGOC) on the  clearing  of the age-long problem of employee stagnation, when the union paid him a courtesy visit at the Authority’s headquarters in Lagos.
A Statement by NPA’s General Manager Corporate & Strategic Communications, Mr. Ikechukwu Onyemekara, quoted Dantsoho as saying,  “our Port infrastructure and equipment modernization drive will go hand-in-hand with continuous staff welfare improvement”.
The NPA MD disclosed that human capital development constitutes the key strategy for creating and sustaining superior performance under his watch, adding that “talent development constitutes a critical success factor for the actualization of the big hairy audacious goals we have set for ourselves especially in the area of Port competitiveness.
“The only way we can meet and indeed exceed stakeholders’ expectations is to deepen the competencies of our human resources assets and boosting their morale.”
Speaking further, Dantsoho commended the Honourable Minister of Marine & Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, for approving the strategic proposal of the Dantsoho-led Management team that solved the over a decade-long problem of lack of promotion that had fuelled industrial disharmony.
“I must specially appreciate our amiable Minister for graciously approving the multi-pronged stratagem we deployed that cleared all outstanding cases of employee stagnation by conducting examinations in one fell swoop and instituted timelines to forestall a recurrence of such anomaly”, he sad.
Speaking on behalf of the joint maritime labour unions, the President  of Senior Staff Association of Statutory Corporations & Government-Owned Companies (SSASCGOC), Comrade Bodunde stated, “In addition to clearance of the backlog of stagnated promotions, we also wish to express our appreciation for the increase in productivity bonuses, provision of end-of-year welfare packages for staff, and the revision of the Financial Guide to the Condition of Service, which now addresses our members’ concerns about inflationary pressures.”
Nkpemenyie Mcdominic, Lagos
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ANLCA Chieftain Emerges FELCBA’s VP

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National Secretary of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Elder Olumide Fakanlu, has been elected Vice President of the Federation of ECOWAS Licensed Customs Brokers Association (FELCBA).
The election took place during the FELCBA Congress, held from Tuesday, June 17th to Thursday, June 19th, 2025, in Freetown, Sierra Leone.
Fakanlu’s emergence as Vice President marks a significant achievement for Nigeria within the regional customs brokerage community.
Apart from Fakanlu, Secretary of the Seme Chapter of ANLCA, Austin Nwosu, was also elected, securing the role of Secretary of Relations with Institutions.
The Nigerian delegation played an active role in the congress, with Michael Ebeatu nominated as a member of the electoral officer team, ensuring a fair and transparent election process.
The three-day congress concluded with delegates undertaking a visit to the Sierra Leone Port, offering insights into the host nation’s maritime operations, followed by a recreational trip to the Tokeh Beach.
The newly elected executives are expected to lead FELCBA in its efforts to harmonize customs brokerage practices, promote trade facilitation, and advocate for the interests of licensed customs brokers across the ECOWAS sub-region.
Nkpemenyie Mcdominic, Lagos
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NSC, Police Boost Partnership On Port Enforcement 

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In a bid to enhance more enforcement in the nation’s Port, the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) has reaffirmed its commitment to stronger inter-agency collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).
The Council said the collaboration is aimed at enhancing stronger enforcement, compliance and improve operational efficiency across Nigeria’s ports.
Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of  NSC, Dr. Pius Akutah, made this known during a visit to the  Inspector-General of Police, Dr. Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, at the Force Headquarters, Abuja.
The visit, which he said, focused on strengthening institutional synergy, comes in the wake of growing responsibilities for the NSC under the newly created Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.
Akutah emphasized the critical role of security agencies in supporting port operations and ensuring regulatory compliance.
He called for the posting of police officers to assist the Council’s monitoring and enforcement teams at key port locations including Lagos, Warri, Onne, Port Harcourt, and Calabar.
“The posting will complement the activities of our revived task teams and enhance our ability to enforce standards across the maritime logistics chain”, he said.
Earlier, the Inspector-General of Police, Dr. Egbetokun, assured the Council of the Force’s readiness to continue supporting the growth of the maritime sector.
The IGP acknowledged that compliance enforcement is essential to the successful implementation of Nigeria’s Blue Economy objectives.
“The NSC and NPF are expected to deepen collaboration in the months ahead, with a shared focus on building a secure, efficient, and competitive port environment”, to the IGP emphasized.
Chinedu Wosu
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