To boost economic growth, the Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) , Ms Hadiza Bala Usman has emphasised need to promote the activities of medium scale entrepreneurs and foreign investors.
Speaking at the Kano Trade fair, the NPA boss who was represented by the Assistant General Manager, Commercial Services/ Port Promotions , Abdulrahamaamn Lamina explained that the Authority sees entrepreneurship as important engine of growth and would always support those who have the capacity and willingness to develop, organise, run and manage profitable businesses across the country.
Making reference to the theme of the trade fair: “Attracting Entrepreneurs and Investors towards National Economic Growth,’ the NPA boss said the theme was appropriate “because the country is going through ‘a turbulent’ economic recession and the Federal Government is encouraging every Nigerian to look ‘inward’ in a bid to creat alternative ways of developing the economy apart from oil”.
The Federal Government, she added, has institutionalise policies that are geared towards attracting investors and focusing on non-oil sector to encourage entrepreneurial participation to boost the nation’s depleting foreign reserves.
NPA, Usman said, had also impacted positively on the economic growth by assisting some notable entrepreneurs to expand their businesses and become major employers of labour.
Some of the beneficiaries of NPA’ gesture, she said, are Otunba Obafemi Otudeko, Alhaji Wahab Folawiyo, Dr Samuel Adedoyin and Alhaji Aliko Dangote. They have factories at the seaports.
Also, the huge investment made by the terminal operators, according to the NPA boss, add to greater efficiency in cargo handling, port operations and increase in the revenue generated for the government.
