Shippers’ Council, ICPC Collaborate To Tackle Corruption At Seaports

The Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) has reaffirmed its commitment to the fight against corruption in Nigeria’s seaports by pledging closer collaboration with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

This commitment was underscored during a meeting between the NSC and the ICPC Lagos Office, led by Resident Anti-corruption Commissioner Alexander Chukwurah, at the Council’s headquarters in Lagos.

The Executive Secretary and CEO of the council, Dr Akutah Pius, welcomed the ICPC delegation and commended the longstanding partnership between both institutions, which he said has significantly curbed unethical practices at the nation’s ports.

Describing the Commissioner’s visit as timely, Dr Akutah highlighted the Council’s recent achievement — being ranked first within the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy with an impressive score of 84.68% in the 2024 ICPC Ethics and Integrity Compliance Scorecard — as a testament to the Council’s ongoing efforts to promote transparency and accountability.

In his remarks, Chukwurah explained that his visit was aimed at strengthening ties with the NSC as the new Resident Commissioner in Lagos, with a focus on driving a joint anti-corruption agenda across the maritime sector and the nation at large.

He outlined the ICPC’s three-pronged approach of enforcement, prevention, and public education/mobilization and encouraged the Council to continue empowering its Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit to broaden the reach of the anti-corruption campaign.

Discussions also touched on the need for sustained efforts to enhance Nigeria’s image globally through improved ethical standards.