Nigerian Flight Deck Travel and Business Reportage
ASSISTANT Comptroller General and Zonal Coordinator of Zone A, ACG Doris Braimah has charged seamen in the maritime sector to ensure that all their crew are in possession of proper documentation to ensure speedy clearance in the ports
ACG Braimah made this known yesterday during a stakeholders’ meeting on invitation of the Nigeria’s Shippers Council where she explained that there are guiding laws of operations especially at the nation’s ports stressing that it is expected that all ship crew respect and abide by these laws
The meeting is aimed at fostering seamless relationship between the stakeholders in the maritime sector and immigration by ensuring all agencies concerned embrace the best practice worldwide, to save time without comprising the stipulated rules guiding each of the agencies concerns.
According to her, Nigeria is practicing the Ease of Doing Business model of which the Nigerian Immigration Service is at the forefront championing, but that does not mean processes and procedure meant to keep the nation safe would be eschewed.
She said, “Yes we have Ease of doing business but at the same time, there are certain procedures and requirement that should be met by the ship captain with relation to the crew members. So I’ve had some reports whereby the some of the crew members come in without visas and we know very well that as an agency it is impossible we proceed with clearance without ensuring that these people are properly documented.
“So I think I will urge the council to let intending ships coming in to know there are guiding laws of operations so I think that will make clearance faster
Agreeing with the ACG, her host and Executive Secretary of the Shippers’ Council, Mr. Hassan Bello added that the obligations not just affect local vessels but international ones as well.
“There are obligations, international obligations and this is not only to Nigerian vessels but to all ships coming, even before they sail they should be able to provide documentation and communicate with immigration to make it easier.
The ACG who was also on a working visit to Lagos Seaport/ Marine Command, charged officers of the service to continue discharging their duties with utmost sense of responsibility and integrity
She also stressed that the present NIS management led by Comptroller General Mr. Muhammad Babandede has taken the service to an enviable height in Nigeria, urging them to build on this new Immigration so that posterity can judge them right
ACG Braimah also enjoined them to remain conscious and cautious of the pandemic as well as observe all Covid-19 protocols.
She thanked the Comptroller in charge of the command CIS Arogundade for the good work they are doing
