[size=14pt]Nigeria: Outrage Trails Representatives' Move to Return NAFDAC, SON to Ports[/size]
Bayo Amodu
20 October 2011

IT emerged on Tuesday that the House of Representatives is making moves to return some of the government agencies evicted about two weeks ago from the nation's seaports to their former positions. But operators and stakeholders in the nation's maritime sector have warned that such move would be vehemently rejected.

The House directed the Joint Committees on Health, Industry and Drug and Narcotics to investigate the withdrawal of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) from the nation's seaports.

The committee is expected to submit its findings to the House within two weeks. However, speaking with The Moment in a telephone interview yesterday, a prominent freight forwarder, Lucky Amiwero said the lawmakers should concentrate on making laws that would lead to the advancement of the country and not laws that causes commotion.

According to him, what the minister of finance said was not just a directive but a very clear position of the law. He said, 'the statement of the minister stands legally.

Decree 61 of 1999 Constitution Section 1A and B is very clear. It is an Act of parliament. If they want to negate the directive of the president, they should first make a move that will cancel the decree.'

Speaking further, Ami-wero said the lawmakers cannot succeed with any plan to take the nation backward because the law did not bar the agencies from coming to the ports but that the Customs can invite them if their services are needed through a written notification.

'They don't have the legal right to go to the ports and stay there without being invited.'

Also, the President Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents (ANCLA), Olayiwola Shittu, said the new development is an indication that all the people that were removed from the ports are all making efforts to come back adding that they can be effective in their work without staying permanently at the ports.

Shittu also said there is an existing law which stipulates which agency of government has the responsibility to permanently maintain security at the port.

'That law has not been abrogated and if the lawmakers wants to break the law by themselves good luck to them'. He added that if the Federal Government succumbs to the National Assembly, it would continue to be business as usual at the port which will not augur well for the Nigerian port development.

He, however, said it takes the political will of the government to determine whether they will scale through. An importer who spoke on the condition of anonymity said the agencies have been contributing to the delay at the ports and should not be allowed to come back.

'Which kind of country is this? We make one step forward, ten steps backwards. The major problem with the port is corruption. People that will not benefit from multiple agencies at the ports are at work but we will resist any move to take us backwards,' he said.

President Goodluck Jonathan on October 10 approved the withdrawal of 10 government agencies from the country's seaports for non compliance with international best practices.

But the House of Representativesat a plenary on Tuesday arrived at a resolution which emanated from a motion by Rep. Uzor Azubuike (PDP-Abia), and which was unanimously adopted to investigate the directive of the president.

Leading the debate, Azubuike noted that it would be out of place to eject relevant agencies like NAFDAC and SON from the ports in view of the fight against fake and adulterated drugs.

He urged members of the House to support the motion in order to allow the agencies perform their constitutional duties at the ports.

Rep. Joseph Haruna (CPC Nasarawa), who supported the motion, argued that the agencies' role was crucial to the fight against fake drugs in the country.

'I think that NAFDAC should remain at our borders to check substandard goods coming into the country,' he said.

Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila (ACN Lagos), the Minority Leader, suggested a review of laws guiding the operations of the agencies to check the rate at which the executive arm of government took decisions on them.

He noted that the mere proposal of motions on the floor of the House would not have much effect. Rep. Asita Honourable (PDP Rivers) said that there was a need for the executive arm to explain to the House why the decision was taken.

He said that what government ought to do now was to strengthen the agencies instead of withdrawing them from the seaports.

Mr, Leo Ogor (PDP-Delta), the Deputy Leader, argued that in as much as there was a need to discourage physical inspection at our ports, withdrawing the agencies could be detrimental

http://allafrica.com/stories/printable/201110200565.html

Where is Gbawe to come and defend the despicable actions of the Reps? GEJ must have made a mistake to remove those corruption mongers from the ports.

Good move by the reps. These useless economic theorists wanted to take Nigeria back to the stone age of fake drugs, Guns and expired food. Customs are the most corrupt body in Nigeria. Anything can pass through the ports. The other agencies are good checks and balances. Nigeria is no ordinary country. The economic theorists should know that what works in Oyinbo country will not work in Nigeria.

^^^Don't we have expired drugs now? In fact, you have to be very careful and know where to go if you want genuine drugs, it's that bad.

Secondly, the agencies have not been banned from the ports but they told them to leave so that clearing of goods can be swift and thus be conducive for business.

Thirdly, are you saying that NAFDAC should return to the ports because Customs is corrupt? I would rather say that Customs should also be overhauled and reformed in order to meet the challenges of today's world.

The reps have merely spoken. They lack the power to return any agency to the ports.

Let's please go for leaner process, afterall, we have been complaining about the high cost of running the government. All these wastes in form of overlap and duplication, which also cause delays, should be scrapped.

Pukkah:

^^^Don't we have expired drugs now? In fact, you have to be very careful and know where to go if you want genuine drugs, it's that bad.

Secondly, the agencies have not been banned from the ports but they told them to leave so that clearing of goods can be swift and thus be conducive for business.

Thirdly, are you saying that NAFDAC should return to the ports because Customs is corrupt? I would rather say that Customs should also be overhauled and reformed in order to meet the challenges of today's world.

The reps have merely spoken. They lack the power to return any agency to the ports.

Let's please go for leaner process, afterall, we have been complaining about the high cost of running the government. All these wastes in form of overlap and duplication, which also cause delays, should be scrapped.

I prefer delay than dealing with expired food and fake drugs. Yes, there are fake drugs still circulating, but NAFDAC has done a lot to reduce that. It was an epidemic before. People with terminal illnesses will drink chalk and think they are taking drugs. Expired baby food was in abundance. Life is precious and yes they can stop the move. Kudo's to the reps once again. If i have to wait one month to preserve my life, then i will

One would be right to agree on the notion raised by my dear friend above ( ^^^) but on the other hand, it may be part of GEJ's strategy to cut down the cost of running the govt and also ensure corruption free port, !!!>,

Internal reformation may be the end result, whereby all sea port staff would be trained immensely on different areas of the job, Using a diversified workforce would improve the efficiency of the sea port,

AND JUST TO MAKE MY VOICE HEARD, I'M IN FULL SUPPORT OF THE REMOVAL OF FUEL SUBSIDY!!!!