The Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Ms Hadiza Usman, says the organisation will increase bilateral ties with foreign firms, to derive mutual benefits.
Usman said this on Wednesday in a message to the 10th NIMPORT Annual Maritime Conference in Lagos.
The managing director, who was represented by an Assistant General Manager, Commercials and Ports Promotion, Malam Abdulrahman Lamina, said that technology transfer and information sharing would assist in standardising products for international markets.
Usman said that “government’s efforts in achieving Single Window Operations will enhance swift clearance of goods which will help to encourage the growth of businesses within the port industry’’.
She said that enhanced security profile at the ports would attract sustained investments in the sector and put the country in line with the dictates of International Maritime Organisation (IMO) regulations.
The managing director said that the Federal Government was working toward the deployment of top grade technologies and automation such as the Command, Control and Communication and Intelligence Unit (CCCI) and the Revenue Invoicing Management System (RIM) series.
Usman said they would ensure quick financial transactions and block revenue leakages at the ports.
She also said the systems would assist to enact a greater enabling environment in attracting Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs).
Usman said that developing a sustainable trade relations with other countries would create employment, build foreign exchange reserves and ultimately boost the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
In his contribution, the Representative of Green View Development Nigeria Ltd. (GDNL), Mr David Agunbiade, said it should be easy to create jobs in the Nigerian maritime industry.
He spoke about the natural and human resource endowments and the conducive all-year round stable climate.
The Director, Institute of Maritime Studies, University of Lagos, Prof. Olusoji Ilori, said, “The Maritime Industry is key to the development of any economy.’’
He urged the government to endeavour to plough back heavily into the industry, to boost the nation’s economy.
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