We’ll utilise Port Master Plan effectively – MD

The Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Ms Hadiza Usman, has said that the organisation will effectively utilize the Port Master Plan.

The NPA boss made this disclosure when a team from the Oxford Business Group UK, paid a courtesy visit to the NPA headquarters in Lagos.

She said the Port Master Plan will serve as a reference point in all matters that concerned greater operational efficiency in the port industry.

Usman said: “The Port Master Plan is expected to provide the organisation with a clear overview of the entire port system, which is vital for guided port development.”

The managing director explained that the NPA was poised to prioritise the utilisation of railway network for efficient distribution of cargo across the seaports in line with best practices.

She said: “The maritime world is embracing intermodal dictates and the NPA would ensure we keyed into that most efficiently.

“NPA’s synergy with the private sector, geared toward the actualisation of deep seaports, will position the country for greater economic relationship,”she also said, adding that the competitive tariff regime being put in place would place Nigeria on a better platform in the sub-region.

She said: “There is already a robust approach among stakeholders to address the gridlock hampering efficient service delivery at the ports.’’

The managing director said the approach would take no time in reflecting positively on the time hitherto spent on the affected access roads.

Usman said the management would prioritise the rehabilitation of infrastructure at the ports for optimal operational activities.

The Country Director, Nigeria, Oxford Business Group UK, Diana Rus, said it was desirous of partnering with the NPA and that its vast collaboration globally would play out positively in the partnership.