Our target is to make Nigerian ports competitive – Says NPA Boss, Hadiza Usman

Our target is to make Nigerian ports competitive – Says NPA Boss, Hadiza Usman

*Harps on investments in new deep seaports

:By Udeme Clement :

The Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, under the watch of Hadiza Bala Usman, as the Managing Director, has mapped out strategic measures to rejuvenate the port industry for greater productivity.

These include regular stakeholders engagement; synergy with relevant organisations on ports related activities;, pragmatic approach in handling issues in the ports and measures to stimulate investments inflow to deep seaports in the country.

More so, the current NPA Boss, who has been described by many stakeholders as being proactive in running the Agency is also working on policies geared towards making Nigerian ports competitive like what obtains in the global economy.

Speaking on activities of NPA during a TV programme, Hadiza Usman harps on the urgent need to create an
enabling environment for new deep seaports to thrive in the country.

She emphasised that the Agency has worked tirelessly in the last four years to reposition the port industry and would continue to do more, in order to enhance economic growth and development through revenue generation for government.

She pointed out lack of deep seaports as part of the challenges slowing down competitiveness of Nigerian ports.

According to her, the Authority would continue to work assiduously with the new Board, to overcome this obstacle, by ensuring investments drive to new deep seaports in Nigeria.

Responding to questions on Eastern ports, she explained that NPA is putting measures in place to make the Eastern ports remain active, even as the Authority is collaborating with Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, to ensure security of the Eastern ports.

Speaking further, Hadiza Usman mentioned that NPA recognises the important role Nigeria Customs Service plays in cargo clearance in the ports.

As such, NPA is working in collaboration with Customs, as well as terminal operators to enhance seamless cargo clearance, in line with the Executive Order of government on ease of doing business.

This, she said becomes imperative to enhance efficiency in the port system.

Hadiza maintained that the last four years have been very productive for the Authority, despite challenges facing the nation’s economy at large.