The Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Hadiza Bala Usman has pledged to invest more resources in capacity building as part of measures to attain an efficient port system.
Bala Usman made the remark at an event to mark NPA’s special day at the ongoing 2017 International Trade Fair organized by the Lagos Chambers of Commerce and Industry with the theme ‘’Promoting Industrialization For Economic Recovery And Sustainable Growth’’.
According to the NPA boss who was represented by the General Manager Corporate and Strategic Communications, Abdullahi Goje, the management is working towards making Nigeria’s Seaports a safe haven for Investors within sub-Sahara Africa by providing a conducive environment for all in line with International best practices.
The NPA boss said: “There is currently an Executive Order on 24 hour Port Operations and the Authority has placed all the necessary mechanisms to ensure the realization of the Order.’’
In her welcome address, President of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Dr. (Mrs.) Nike Akande (CON) lauded the contributions of the Port Industry to the growth and development of the nation’s economy, and called on the relevant Government Agencies to ensure an enabling environment for an efficient Port system.
She said: “The Ports are critical to the economic life of this country and this makes it imperative that Agencies managing the Nation’s Ports and Maritime Infrastructure must continually work towards a better regulatory and operational environment that guarantees Ports efficiency across the Country. The issues around Port Operations are well known by the Agencies concerned with Port Management in Nigeria and we acknowledge the efforts of Government towards improving the efficiency of the Ports’’.
In his speech, the Chairman, Trade Promotion of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce, Mrs. Sola Oyetayo charged all Stakeholders to ensure a total rejuvenation in their policies in the area of 24 hour Port Operations in the Ports, 48 Hours Cargo clearance at the Ports including improvement of traffic within the access roads amongst others.
He commended the Managing Director for her passion towards the participation of NPA at the fair, adding that NPA’s participation has been adding value to trade promotion over the years.
Exhibitors at the 10 day event were drawn from Local and International companies from China, Egypt, Japan, Ghana, India, European Union, Indonesia, Pakistan as well as local and medium scale entrepreneurs.
Highlight of the occasion was the presentation of plaque of recognition to the Managing Director for her contributions to the development of Nigeria economy in the Maritime sector.
NPA management was represented by the Assistant General Managers, Corporate and Strategic Communications and Port Promotions, I.A Suwaid, I.S Nasiru, Media communications and Protocol while on the LCCI delegation had on its team the Deputy President Mr. Babatunde Rowase (FCA) as well as the Chairman Trade promotions Board Mr. Sola Oyetayo.
