NPA will effectively utilise Port Master Plan – MD

The Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Ms Hadiza Usman, has said that the organisation will work toward ensuring that the Port Master Plan is effectively used.

Usman said this when a team from the Oxford Business Group UK, paid a courtesy visit to the NPA headquarters in Lagos.

According to her, the Port Master Plan will serve as a reference point in all matters that concern greater operational efficiency in the port industry.

Newsverge reports that NPA is packaging a 25-year Port Master Plan.

The Port Master Plan is expected to provide the organisation with a clear overview of the entire port system, which is vital for guided port development.

The managing director told the visitors that the NPA would prioritise the utilisation of railway network for efficient distribution of cargo across the seaports in line with best practices.

“The maritime world is embracing intermodal dictates and the NPA would ensure we key into that most efficiently,’’ Usman said.

Concerning trans-shipment, she said that the NPA’s synergy with the private sector, geared toward the actualisation of deep seaports, would position the country for greater economic relationship.

Usman said the competitive tariff regime being put in place would place Nigeria on a better platform in the sub-region.

She said, “There is already a robust approach among stakeholders to address the gridlock hampering efficient service delivery at the ports.’’

The managing director said that the approach would take no time in reflecting positively on the time hitherto spent on the affected access roads.

Usman said that the Management would prioritise the rehabilitation of infrastructure at the ports in order to bring to bear optimal operational activities.

She said the rehabilitation of the infrastructure would be key in more revenue generation for the country at this time of need for the nation’s economy.

The Country Director, Nigeria, Oxford Business Group UK, Diana Rus, said the group was desirous of partnering with NPA.

Rus said the group’s vast collaboration globally would play out positively in the course of the partnership.

She said the group’s intelligent and operational research structures would be instrumental to the envisaged synergy with NPA.