The Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Uthority (NPA) Ms Hadiza Bala Usman has urged the National Aasembly to pass Ports and Harbours Bill, National Transport Commission Bill and other maritime bills before it to boost port development plan.
The Managing Director said NPA was committed to capacity building of its workforce because its business is international and requires that the agency constantly keep abreast with global developments and cutting edge in technology and shipping developments. Thus in building capacity, NPA staff exposure to the international scene is vital.
Speaking at a retreat organized by the House Committee on Ports, Harbours and Waterways in Lagos, Usman said there was an urgent need to pass the bills to replace the existing obsolete laws, which are not supportive of developmental goals of the country.
NPA, she said, was excited about the efforts by the Federal Government to reform and develop other related areas such as Inland water ways and ports, rail way and road network to promote inter-modalism, which, according o her, is very key to the success of the port.
“This forum is coming at a most auspicious time; when the President Mohammadu Buhari led government is exploring ways of diversifying and improving the Nigerian economy.
“I must say that this is a very welcome innovation. This is the first time this kind of forum is being organized by the House Committee. I am particularly happy because it will foster exchange of ideas and collaboration and I hope it will become an annual event as the gains from it cannot be overemphasized.
“I am also grateful that the ports have been identified as key areas of the economy with the potential to put the nation back on the track of economic boom. One of the key objectives of the retreat is to expose the Honourable Members of the House Committee and stakeholders to the dynamics of the maritime industry, which are quite vast.
“It is very gratifying that we can count on the support of this Honourable Committee in our efforts to reposition the ports to play the desired role in the current economic agenda of the Federal Government,” she said.
Ms Usman said NPA drew the following conclusions from the objectives of the retreat:
*That our industry is one of the key areas of focus for economic development;
*That the National Assembly is committed to cooperating with the Executive to realize the development goals and objectives set for the sector;
* That the House Committee is concerned about bringing our sector up to speed with international standards and
*That the House Committee is desirous of creating suitable synergy between the National Assembly and the Federal Ministry of Transport.
