THE Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Alhaji Sanusi Lamido Ado Bayero has reiterated that the Eastern Ports remain relevant in future maritime development in the country.
He therefore implored stakeholders in the Eastern Ports to realise their vital role in the nation’s economy and their contributions to the future development of the nation’s maritime industry.
Bayero was speaking at a meeting with major maritime stakeholders during his maiden working visit to the Onne Port, in Port Harcourt over the weekend.
He reminded the stakeholders that port users, consumers and the nation expect high level of performance from them and therefore enjoined them to live up to the terms and conditions of their lease agreements in their service delivery.
The Managing Director reassured that, the NPA, will on its part; collaborate with the stakeholders to ensure that they perform efficiently and effectively for the overall benefits of the nation’s economy.
A press statement issued by General Manager, Public Affairs,
Capt. Iheanacho Ebubeogu (FIMarEST), quoted the MD as saying,“I am here for the first time on a working visit. As stakeholders you remain relevant in the focal point of the nation’s maritime development. You must realise your vital roles and contributions to the economy. We shall collaborate with you to ensure that you perform effectively and efficiently for the benefit of the nation”, he said.
Also speaking, the Executive Director, Marine and Operation, NPA Engr. David Omonibeke said that the Management of NPA was aware of the numerous challenges hindering the smooth operations at the Ports in the Eastern axis, adding that the Management has started to address them, assuring that in the future Management will continue to response with dispatch to all challenges as they arises.
He said that with the collaboration of all the industry stakeholders, the Management of NPA would surmount the challenges of bad Port access roads to alleviate the challenges of evacuation of goods out of the Port. Engr. David Omonibeke added.
In his welcome address, the General Manager, Eastern Ports (NPA) Mr. Obumneme Onuenyenwa commended the Managing Director and his Management Team for their programmatic style as it relates to the effort embarked upon to ensure the general expansion of roads infrastructure both at the Western Ports and the Eastern Ports to make the Port accessible for Port operators.
The General Manager further stated that the Eastern Port Management is brainstorming every now and then in making sure that the Ports do not wait for business to come to them but rather proactively synergising with businessmen and making sure that operations at the Ports are geared towards customer friendliness and enhance service delivery
Meanwhile, the General Manager Intels Nigeria Ltd. Mr Sascha Kuchi has urged the Federal Government to supply stakeholders with regular power so as to reduce the cost of doing business at the Onne Port.
