Abstract

The administration of the seaports in Nigeria rests solely on the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), who plays important role in international trade practices in conjunction with the maritime sector which also plays an active role in structuring of the economy of the nation. As observed recently, over 80% by volume and monetary value of exports and imports of goods and services pass through the Nigeria Seaports. In that regard, this paper examined the Nigeria ports Authority and its role in the implementation of the national policy on the international trade practices towards achieving a national goal. The paper looked at the impact of the port workers in the sea port operation in Nigeria. To analyze the issues raised, General Systems Theory was employed as our frame work of analysis. Documentary method of data collection was employed which anchored on secondary sources like text books, journal/articles, magazines, Newspapers, seminar/ conference material and internet sources, etc. In effect, the paper discovered that with the efforts of the Federal Government, Ports Authority, various agencies, individuals and Organizations, Nigeria sea ports are in a position to achieve the national “will†in seaport administration in Nigeria. Though some setbacks hindering effective and efficient implementation of the national policy on the sea ports operation were detected which include: Time management, Multiple security agencies/duplication of function within the ports, Poor maintenance of equipment, lack of co-ordination among the departments/security agencies within the Ports Complex, Unnecessary administrative bottleneck leading to corruption, as well as acceptance of gratification before services can be rendered to customers/ports user, etc. Based on the findings, the paper suggests that the Nigeria port management should facilitate the procurement and maintenance of the functional equipment in the Nigeria sea ports complex to enhance speedy cargo handling. In addition, more Warehouses/storage facilities should be built to accommodate incoming and outgoing goods and services therein. Most importantly, multiple security agencies in the ports complex should be reduce to the approved number by the Federal Government in line with the globe best practice. With this I believe, Federal Government policy on sea ports operation can be realize in the 21st century