Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has a
dvocated for the provision of adequate port infrastructure by the Federal Government and the private sector to facilitate export activities through the nation’s seaports.
The Managing Director of NPA, Malam Habib Abdullahi pointed out that the provision of appropriate port infrastructure was necessary to enhance trade in the economy
In a statement signed by the General Manager, Public Affairs of NPA, Capt. Iheanacho Ebubeogu, the NPA boss assured that the Authority would encourage any effort designed to change the trade orientation of the nation from import dependent to export.
Habib who was represented by the the GM, Capital Project, Engr. Rufai Mohammed in a paper titled “Providing Enabling Port Infrastructure to Enhance Trade” at the just concluded two day International Seatrade and Investment Convention (ISIC) 2015, under the theme “Exploring New Trade Frontiers” reiterated that as globally accepted seaports accounts for over 80 per cent by volume of International trade and commerce, the seaport must have a robust infrastructural base amongst other requirements to be competitive.
He argued that with the major infrastructural improvements embarked upon by the Authority in its ports and harbour in all its four pilotage districts, coupled with the impending 25 year port master plan which has reached an advanced stage, the organisation is being positioned to properly meet the demand of all categories of port users for both imports and exports.
He explained that mindful of the Federal Government determination to deliver an efficient port system for the overall good of the nation’s economy, the Authority was consolidating and entrenching the gains of the port reform by facilitating and synergizing the activities of the Private Terminal Operators, Shipping Lines, Freight Forwarders and other stakeholders, as well as improving the existing port infrastructure.
Habib who enumerated a number of completed and on-going capital projects embarked upon by the Authority explained that the projects were meant to add efficiency to the nation’s seaports as well as to make the system competitive, and said “Sustained efforts at providing the enabling port infrastructure has impacted on the overall port operational efficiency”, he added.
Meanwhile, in his goodwill message at the opening ceremony of the convention, Habib had commended the conveyors of the event, being the first of its kind in the maritime industry of Nigeria, for their fore-sight, stressing that the event would not have come at a better time than now “as the nation strives to promote export trade, in that way changing the orientation of our nations sea trade which is import dependent”.
