Nahimah Ajikanle Nurudeen
The Board of Directors of the Nigerian Ports Authority, (NPA) has tasked the management of the agency on the need to unlock potentials of the nation’s sea ports for economic development.
According to a statement made available to Authentic Platform News Nigeria by the General Manager, NPA’s Public Affairs, M.K Ajayi, the Chairman NPA Board of Directors, Emmanuel Olajide Adesoye made the call during an interactive session with Stakeholders in the sub sector while on a tour of facilities in Eastern Ports.
The chairman who was accompanied by other board members and the Executive Management of the Authority, said there is need to harness numerous business potentials and opportunities at the nation’s disposal especially from the port industry to improve revenue generation for government.
This he said has become necessary considering the dwindling returns from the oil sector which has resulted in efforts being directed at diversifying the economy through other variables such as the exportation of agricultural produce and mineral resources to other African countries and indeed all over the world through the Nation’s sea ports.
Adedoye maintained that all hands must be on deck at a critical time like this through improved synergy by players in the industry by way proper planning and meaningful sharing of information within the sub sector and beyond.
He affirmed that Management is aware of the challenges facing all ports and locations adding that these were being addressed through the Nation’s budget for the year 2017.
He charged the NPA management to work towards ensuring that the port environment is conducive for business to thrive at all times and directed the prompt evaluation of wreckage littering the port channels and environment.
The Managing Director of NPA, Hadiza Bala Usman at the event, stated that the operational challenges brought to the fore which includes non-availability of plants and equipment would be taken care of within budgetary provisions.
She said that the Management would pay due attention to dredging needs of the ports in Eastern Ports corridor in order to continue providing greater customer service delivery at the ports.
The port Manager Delta Ports, Mr. S. Okeke in his contribution, appealed to Management for assistance in the areas of perimeter fencing to secure the port, intense promotion to attract more investment there and the rehabilitation of infrastructure at the port located in Warri Delta State
The board Members later undertook an assessment tour of the facilities at the port.
