Nigerian Ports Authority
NPA: New Ports, Better Services?
The Managing Director, Nigerian Ports authority, mallam Habib Abdullahi has reiterated the commitment of management and staff of the NPA to develop new ports in order to cope with the increasing cargo throughput arising; not just from imports by Nigerians but also neighbouring countries relying on Nigerian ports for their imports and exports.
According to the managing Director, the Nigerian ports of today is mindful of the demand and exertions on the existing sea ports across the country and is doing all within its powers to ensure that new sea ports are constructed to cater for the increasing economic activities and interest in business opportunities by foreign investors. In his words “Nigeria is not just the fastest growing economy on the African continent but the country with the brightest, most promising on returns on investment. There is a rush to invest in Nigeria by individuals and corporations- the US, Asia and the Philippines; they are talking and making efforts; indicative of their interests, so we at NPA are working ahead to ensure that infrastructures are in place for the expected demand on port infrastructure.”
The NPA boss hinted that apart from the interests shown by investors, another consideration is the half year/end of year economic festivities which usually places greater exertion on port personnel/facilities. Strategic corrective plans, the MD stated, are being fine tuned to ensure faster movement of cargo henceforth.
“The rehabilitation of the port access roads, connecting railway lines and other link roads within the ports are being done to achieve greater port efficiency. Measures that will ensure checks and balances are also being put in place in the interest of all port operators and users”.
The use of trucks for the transportation of cargo is universal but we want to minimize it here so as to extend the life span of our roads. This is why deliberate, concerted efforts are being made to reactivate the rail system across the country and make our roads freer for other purposes.
While carrying out construction/rehabilitation work to ease/fast track cargo movement, the MD said management is not unmindful of the navigational channels and safety of ships and crew coming into/leaving the Nigerian sea ports. This is why the MD explained, the channels are being regularly dredged, cleared and marked to guide ships calling at the ports.
In anticipation of these increased patronages of Nigerian ports by indigenes and foreign and foreign investors, NPA is working at developing new deep sea ports in different parts of the country. Indications from NPA headquarter Lagos reveal that the present management is working assiduously towards the full development of these sea ports and bringing them to functional, operational levels to reduce the demands on the ports in Lagos and spread economic development to other parts of the country.
In all these, efforts are being made to ensure that the environment is not adversely affected. Impact assessment of these project are being carried out and professional advice/findings not ignored.
