The Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority; Hadiza Bala Usman has assured stakeholders in the Nigerian maritime sector of the agency’s determination to improve on its operational efficiency and accomplishments already recorded, even as we enter into the new year.
The managing director has consequently called on terminal operators and port users that it would further open its doors for all players to surmount various bottlenecks with a view to providing a healthy and smooth environment for all stakeholders.
She also assured port users of NPA’s renewed efforts towards swift evacuation of cargoes from the Nigerian ports to the hinterlands and to Nigeria’s land-locked neighbours.
She recalled that with the Ease Of Doing Business introduced by the Federal Government, Management wishes to inform all that it has partnered with notable organizations and the Federal Ministry of Works, Power and Housing at the reconstruction of dilapidated roads within the Ports axis for efficient Port Services across board.
The NPA boss also assured all that it would sustain and step up in the culture of efficiency and transparency. It reiterates that it has put in place structures to drive this dream through the launch of the Revenue Income Management System (RIMS), which is a web based billing and revenue collection application fully automated for the entire billing circle of the NPA amongst others.
On inter-agency collaboration, the NPA said it is partnering with the Nigeria Custom Service(NCS) for the quick facilitation of the Single Window platform aimed at simplifying and harmonizing formalities, procedures and the related exchange of information which will be a major priority in 2019.
The NPA also assured investors of its renewed determination at attracting investments to the Ports across the country through infrastructural development.
According to the NPA, there has been constant dredging of the Channels to attain the expected draught level for incoming vessels at our Ports. This is expected to lead an unprecedented revenue generation and with the expectation that this effort would furtherbe surpassed in the new-year.
Meanwhile, cargo owners have also been advised to take advantage of the recent regime of incentives including the downward review of charges to ameliorate their financial burden, these include a regime of three free days to 21 free days, for the next four months.
Similarly, the demurrage free period on the return of the empty containers has been increased from the current five days period to 15) days.
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