Transport minister and Hadiza Bala Usman strategizing on maritime development in Nigeria.

The Management of the Nigerian Ports Authority has reiterated the designation of the Lily Pond Terminal in Ijora and the Ikorodu Lighter Terminal, Ikorodu specifically for the Export of Agro-produce.

Delivering, a goodwill message on “Nigeria Agricultural Integrated Export Control Plan Zero Rejects Initiative on Agric-Produce” at the Rockview Hotel last week, the Managing Director of NPA, Hadiza Bala Usman stated that the organization would work conscientiously towards achieving the Federal Government’s Export Agenda.

Usman, assured the Stakeholders that works had already commenced on the reconstruction of the Access Roads leading to the Ports in Apapa, adding that security around the axis have been beefed up in collaboration with Security Agents. She assured that the Traffic Gridlocks would soon become a thing of the past.

She revealed that NPA has commenced 24 hour Port Operations to re-position the organization effectively in anticipation of increase in the volume of Export activities by partnering with Terminal Operators to establish Export Desk in all the Terminals to facilitate the Export of Agro-Produce.

Usman also hinted that NPA is collaborating with Terminal Operators and Agencies like the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) to re-establish the rail tracks in all the Terminals in Lagos Ports in order to facilitate the conveyance of export Cargoes in line with greater efficient customer services.

On the traffic situation in Apapa, the Managing Director disclosed that negotiation is on-going to direct empty Containers to Holding Bays at Bonded Terminals to reduce waiting time of trucks on our roads, adding that Security Agencies have been engaged to facilitate easy control of Traffic on the Roads.