Yemisi Izuora
The Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, has directed that henceforth all Terminal Operators would be encouraged to take full participation in Trade Fairs and Exhibitions.
The Managing Director NPA Hadiza Bala gave this indication in Lagos
yesterday while declaring open the “NPA Special Day” at the on-going
Lagos International Trade Fair.
According to Hadiza Bala Usman the presence of the terminal operators in
trade fair arena would enable them to showcase their activities to the
numerous visitors to the fair and educate them on their services.
It could be recall that under the current concession regime there are currently
26 terminal operators operating in the six seaports in the country. The
terminal operators are responsible for the loading and off-loading of cargo in
the ports
Hadiza whose speech was read by Alhaji Abubakar Umar the Port Manager,
Rivers Ports also informed invited guests at the fair that the Authority has
started aggressive efforts aim at attaining the ISO 9001 complaints and
certification in the nation’s seaports.
She expressed the strong optimism that the attainment of the ISO 9001
certification will improve the financial performance of the Authority, ensure
quick turnaround time, improved traffic and business process in the ports.
She disclosed that already the Management has directed all the relevant
divisions and departments in the identified critical requirements needed to
ensure the successful attainment of the project.
Speaking earlier on the president Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry
(LCCI) represented by the Deputy President Toki Mabogunjeinformed the
gathering that the chamber which was founded in 1888 is the “premier as
well as the oldest chamber of commerce in Nigeria”
According to her, the primary objective was to promote support legislature or
other policies affecting trade Industry, Commerce and Agriculture as well as
represent the opinion of the business community on these matter and the
economy as a whole.
She further stressed that the 2018 Fair with the theme “Connecting
Businesses, Creating Value” could go a long way at promoting synergy by
players in the public and private sectors for a mutual benefit adding that the
present day business would desires connectivity in businesses, link
industries and integrate processes to accelerate economic growth and
development.
Toki lauded the NPA Management for the several accomplishments aimed at
repositioning the sector for improved quality service delivery through an
efficient port system.