Concession Of Ports Engenders Significant Investment – FG

The Federal Government has stated that the concession of ports services to private operators has brought significant investment in the acquisition of modern terminal equipment and expansion of existing cargo facilities.
Minister of Transport; Sen.  Idris Umar, , stated this on Monday in Lagos, at a one-day workshop organised by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC).

The Federal Government has stated that the concession of ports services to private operators has brought significant investment in the acquisition of modern terminal equipment and expansion of existing cargo facilities.
Minister of Transport; Sen.  Idris Umar, , stated this on Monday in Lagos, at a one-day workshop organised by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC).
The theme of the workshop was: “Public/Private Partnership (PPP): Strategy for Infrastructural Development and Modernisation in The Nigerian Maritime Sector.”
Umar, who was represented by Mr Okua Etta, a Director in the Ministry, said that the significant investment had led to efficiency and growth in shipping and cargo operations.
He said that the government was also involved in the development of sea ports because of the contribution of international trade in the nation’s economy.
The Minister said that government was partnering with the private sector to deliver infrastructure services that would grow the economy.
“Because of this, it has become imperative that we develop our trade facilitation infrastructure, to optimise proficiency and promote combativeness in the international market,’’ he said.
The Minister said that government wants to ensure that it develop key economic infrastructure in general and maritime infrastructure in particular.
“The vision is to build a virile sector and to ensure that government’s efforts to build and maintain adequate and modern maritime is sustained,’’ Umar said.
He said that the establishment of the ICRC in 2003 had helped to implement government policies on the expansion of seaports, railways and power projects.
Also speaking, Mr  Aminu Diko, Director General, ICRC, said that the dearth of infrastructure was limiting the country’s growth, productivity and competiveness.
Diko, who was represented by Mr Chinedu Ndubuisi, a Director in the ICRC, said that the private sector had resources that would help build infrastructure and develop the country.
He added that the objectives of the ICRC were to create, among other things, an enabling environment that would be attractive to the private sector to partner with government agencies.