The Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Malam Habib Abdullahi said last week that the agency recorded a cargo throughput (imports and exports) of 85 million tonnes as at Dec. 31, 2011.
He said this on Thursday during the NPA Day at the ongoing 2012 Lagos International Trade Fair with the theme entitled: “Promoting Trade for Sustainable Economic Transformation’’.
The Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Malam Habib Abdullahi said last week that the agency recorded a cargo throughput (imports and exports) of 85 million tonnes as at Dec. 31, 2011.
He said this on Thursday during the NPA Day at the ongoing 2012 Lagos International Trade Fair with the theme entitled: “Promoting Trade for Sustainable Economic Transformation’’.
Abdullahi, who was represented by Mr Mohammed Bulangu, General Manager, Western Ports, said that there had been improvement as a result of privatisation of the six major ports to 25 concessionaires.
He added that the ports were fully operational today.
“Improvements have been recorded in the areas of throughput, turn around time of vessels and service delivery, while investment in rehabilitation of infrastructure by terminal operators is ongoing,’’ Abdullahi said.
According to him, the reform programme of the ports is not without challenges but NPA is making great strides to fulfil its statutory obligations.
Abdullahi said that the Authority had the main challenge of trucking and access roads in Lagos.
The managing director said the Authority would also emphasise on marine services and user responsibility.
He said that NPA was committed to improvement through private sector participation in its activities.
Mr Goodie Ibru, the President of Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), said that the ports played a major role in economic transformation of the country.
He said that the privatisation of the ports was not without challenges to business men, most of which were its members.
He said that NPA should continue to address the issues to ensure they were solved.
Ibru, who was represented by Alhaji Remi Bello, the LCCI Deputy President said that the use of Tafawa Balewa Square for the trade fair was as a result of ongoing construction at the Badagry Expressway Trade Fair Complex.
He, however, said that that the exhibitors and visitors were happy due to accessibility of the venue, adding that the traffic in the area was effectively managed.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 2012 Lagos international trade fair started on Nov. 2 and would end on Nov. 11.
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