Some maritime and business stakeholders have mourned the death of a former General Manager of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Bamanga Tukur, describing him as an astute administrator.
Tukur, who also served as a governor, minister and PDP national chairman, died on Saturday at the age of 90.
They paid the tributes in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Lagos.
The President of the Association of Tourist Boat Operators and Water Transporters of Nigeria (ATBOWATON), Ganiyu Balogun, said Tukur laid a solid foundation for the nation’s ports.
Balogun, popularly known as Tarzan, said the late administrator understood the strategic value of the maritime sector to the economy.
“Tukur ran the ports at a critical time and set standards that guided the sector for years. We have lost a rare mind,” he said.
He urged the government to honour Tukur by sustaining reforms in the maritime and blue economy sector.
A maritime industry consultant, Capt. Ebiye Thompson, said Tukur’s tenure at the NPA remained a reference point in port administration.
He said the late administrator combined discipline with vision, qualities he described as rare in public service today.
“He built institutions, not personal empires. That is the difference between him and many of today’s public officers,” he said.
An economic historian, Dr Uchenna Maduabuchi, recalled Tukur’s role in continental business through the African Business Roundtable.
He said the late statesman promoted private enterprise and regional trade long before it became fashionable.
“Tukur saw Africa as one big market. His ideas on trade and enterprise are still relevant today,” he said.
The stakeholders prayed for the repose of his soul and urged government to immortalise him.
