Yemisi Izuora
The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) is to mobilize resources towards debt recovery efforts owed by Terminal Operators and other stakeholders in the maritime sector.
Addressing stakeholders in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Managing Director of NPA Hadiza Bala-Usman said prompt payment of debt will help in providing more infrastructure.
Bala-Usman also used the opportunity to advise Terminal Operators to stick to the terms of agreement, adding that proposed review of the concession pact is underway.
Represented by the Executive Director, Finance and Administration, Mohammed Bello-Koko, Bala-Usman disclosed that NPA will soon receive Ro-Ro Vessel at Rivers Port Complex.
In his welcome address, the Port Manager, Rivers Port Complex, Alhaji Abubarkar Umar Said the Port has its own challenges ”such as lack of finger jetty at the dockyard, lack of operational Tug Boats, lack of Patrol Boats, lack of functional water hydrants at the quays, to mention but a few”.
Making reference to achievements, the port manager said: “The serene environment experienced by the stakeholders attracted more importers and increased Ship Traffic of the Port which led to more revenue generation.
“This also led to the move from the long standing International Ship and Facility Security (ISPS) Code level 2, to the current level 1 and we maintain a cordial relationship with the stakeholders. Management recently allocated two new security patrol vans to the Port.
“Other achievements include:- Responsive management, reduction in vessel turn-around time, improvement in revenue generation and collection, improvement in service delivery, and improved safety guidelines etc”.
Meanwhile, Bala-Usman has appealed to importers and exporters to patronise ports in the Eastern flank of the county to decongest ports in Lagos.
Bala-Usman, made the appeal at the NPA Special Day at the 29th Enugu International Trade Fair in Enugu on Saturday.
Bala-Usman said that patronising the Eastern ports would reduce trucks traffic on Lagos roads as well.
‘‘I wish to use this medium to appeal to importers and exporters to patronise the ports in the Eastern flank of the country, namely: Warri, Rivers, Onne and Calabar ports as this will decongest the ports in Lagos,’’ she said.
The managing director said that NPA had remained resolute in its drive to ensure that the nation’s ports remain safe, secure and customer-friendly, while delivering efficient port services.
‘‘I am glad to inform you that NPA is implementing with vigour, the Presidential Order on Ease of Doing Business in the nation’s ports.
“This is with a view to eradicating all bottlenecks to business transactions in the nation’s seaports.
‘‘We will like port users and stakeholders in the nation’s maritime sector to take advantage of this development,’’ Bala-Usman said.
She maintained that the authority had continued with its vision statement of being the leading port in Africa and making our seaports a pride of the nation in service delivery.
‘‘We have made improvement in our port infrastructure, navigational aids and channels with 24 hours port operations, both for berthing of vessels and discharge of cargo,’’ the managing director said.
Bala-Usman said that NPA had been adhering to policies and strategies as they affect ports operations in ensuring speedy clearance of cargo, improved infrastructure and equipment.
She said that the authority would continue to improve intermodal transportation systems to encourage speedy transfer of goods from the sea ports.
‘‘We anticipate that government’s policies geared toward the diversification of the Nigerian economy will make our ports to attract transshipment of cargoes, which will help to boost our revenue,’’ Bala-Usman said.