By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Officials drawn from the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), and Directorate of State Services (DSS) have inaugurated a team for Port Harcourt and Onne to implement the Nigerian Ports Process Manual (NPPM).
Besides, 12 officials of the ICPC have been certified for Anacapa Criminal Intelligence Analysis, as part of measures to enhance operational efficiency.
Anacapa Criminal Intelligence Analysis, an internationally recognised criminal analysis technique, covers every technique an intelligence or fraud analyst needs to effectively work with all types of intelligence gathered during investigation.
IQ Level 3 Organisation Certificate was awarded to the officials at the ICPC headquarters in Abuja after a two-week training in Lagos conducted by the National Crime Agency (NCA) based in the United Kingdom.
NCA is a leading agency against organised crime, human, weapon and drug trafficking, cybercrime, and economic crime that transcends regional and international borders
At the award ceremony, ICPC Chairman Bolaji Owasanoye thanked the British High Commission for its support for various projects, and expressed appreciation for its donation of two laptops to apply what was learnt at the training.
He recalled that the ICPC in 2019 introduced initiatives to fulfil its mandate, one of which is tracking of appropriated budgeted projects not executed.
The initiative compels contractors who abandon projects to go back to site and complete them to improve the expenditure side of government.
Owasanoye reiterated that the ICPC is the only government agency with the mandate of prevention in line with UNCAC, and it is beaming its searchlights on Illicit Financial Flows (IFFs) to block loopholes and recover stolen money or assets.
British Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), Andrew Llowes, advised the trainees to sustain the skills acquired by bring them to bear on their tasks.
He emphasied that collaboration helps deepen understanding of new work trends, noting that the ICPC website has improved significantly and is now easier to navigate.
Some of the awardees acknowledged that the training helps them to narrow down investigation and are more objective in analysis.
Task Force for Port Harcourt, Onne ports
The Port Standing Task Team inaugurated in the Eastern Ports will ensure that standard procedures are followed in carrying out transactions at the ports.
Among other roles, the team will
· Enforce the rules and help dismantle the traffic jam network that aids corruption in the ports.
· Generate evidence-based infractions against the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), NPPM, and the Ease of Doing Business Policy of the government.
· Engage in quick enforcement actions, including sting operations, based on intelligence data.
Owasanoye, represented by ICPC Head of Investigation, Hassan Mohammed, urged the team to diligently carry out its duties which are geared towards reducing corruption.
NSC South South Zonal Director, Ogor Israel, said the team is to ensure efficiency and make Nigerian ports some of the best places to do business.
He predicted that very soon insecurity at the ports, especially in the Eastern Ports, will be tackled and business will start booming in the zone.
Moses Fadipe, who represented NSC Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer, enjoined all stakeholders to cooperate with the team in curbing illegal activities at the ports.
Acting NPA Managing Director Mohammed, Bello Koko, said the NPPM is fully funded by the NPA as part of its contribution towards creating a transparent and efficient port system that aligns with the Presidential Order on Ease of Doing Bussing in the Nigerian Port Sector.
Other stakeholders such as Terminal Operators and Cargo Owners promised to support the team with information and reports of infractions.