The Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Abubakar Dantsoho, embarked on an operational visit to the Onne Port complex and the Rivers Port, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
Speaking during the visit Dantsoho who was recently elected as the first Nigerian President of the Port Management Association of West and Central Africa (PMAWCA) said the current administration led by President Bola Tinubu is concerned about growing the maritime industry and deepening operations at the Ports.
He called for increased investment in Nigerian Ports to enhance efficiency, urging operators to do more. Continuing, he said given Nigeria’s large population, the ports deserve greater investment than what is currently available and implored all terminal operators to leverage the investor-friendly initiatives of President Tinubu and increase their investments.
Dantsoho that the government on its part is investing heavily in the maritime sector, adding that plans are underway to develop the Apapa and Tin Can ports in Lagos.
He assured that the NPA is committed to ensuring that global environmental standards are upheld in Nigerian ports, urging terminal operators to align with global best practices in sustainability. According to him, the nation must translate its vision of being the maritime logistics hub for sustainable port services in Africa into reality as quickly as possible.
At the Onne Port, the MD visited Intels Nigeria Limited, the Multi-purpose Terminal of the Port, the West African Container Terminal, and Indorama Plc.
He commended Intels for its investment in the Port, describing the organization as a model for other organizations to follow, adding that no organization has done what Intels is doing.
Dantosho who was accompanied by top executives of the NPA, thereafter proceeded to the Rivers Port and was received by the Manager of the Rivers Port, Mrs. Kenechi Okezie.
Addressing stakeholders at the Port, he called for increased revenue generation to enable the government to provide equipment and ensure the welfare of workers among others.
He noted that the administration is committed to improving the welfare of workers to enhance efficiency. Reacting, the Managing Director of Rivers Port, Kenechi Okezie commended Dantosho for the visit and assured him of doing her best to improve activities at the Port.
