NPA Board Chairman Assures On Port And Harbour Bill, Port Access Roads, Others  

The newly-inaugurated board of the Nigerian Ports Authourity (NPA) has assured that it is bringing the diverse cognate experience of its members to bear  in their new assignment so as to address the myriads of challenges that are facing the nation’s seaports.
This assurance was given by the Chairman of the board, Mr. Emmanuel Olajide Adesoye, in his acceptance speech, shortly after the 10-member board was inaugurated by the Minister of Transportation in Abuja.
He specifically assured that the board will soon engage the NPA management on the terrible state of access into both Apapa and Tin Can Island ports.
He acknowledged that the, “perennial Apapa gridlock, poor access roads – leading to the ports and absence or should I say, non-functional truck holding bay – all of which had made port business a tasking venture”.
Mr Adesoye assured that NPA board will also collaborate with terminal and other ports operators “in removing all encumbrances militating against our collective desire to achieve optimum performance and improved port services capable of attracting higher vessel patronage, which in turn will translate into more revenue for the nation”.
On the long-awaited Port and Harbour Bill, the NPA chairman informed  the Minister that the Ministry, the NPA board and management have to work out common strategies to revisit issues militating against passage of the bill.
“It is hoped that the bill when passed into law will provide appropriate framework for rapid port expansion and development including capacity building”, he stated.
Mr Adesoye also acknowledged the increasing demand on NPA to contribute more to the process of revitalizing the economy, especially now that the nation is facing some challenges.
He said: “Indeed the role of Nigerian Ports Authority in the industrialization and growth of Nigeria’s economy particularly at this period of economic recession cannot be overemphasized when it is realized that the maritime sector is one of the most important revenue earners after the crude oil sector. It therefore behoves on our Board in the performance of its oversight functions to come up with concrete policies capable of rejuvenating the Authority with a view to confronting and overcoming its present challenges”.
He also assured that, the new board will seek to ensure that NPA is run in line with modern best practices comparable to the best ports in the maritime world. In actualizing this conviction, we shall seek expert advice both within and outside the Authority”.
He stressed that within the period of the board’s engagement, it will strive to ensure that NPA  is elevated  to a position where Nigeria Ports will become a hub of maritime activities in both the West and Central African Sub-region and the leading port in Africa.
Mr Adesoye also disclosed that the NPA board will endeavor to enhance the fortunes of the agency by collaborating more with sister agencies of government.