The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho has given an insight into how the Federal Government port modernization and National Single Window (NSW) will change the face of Nigerian ports.
He averred that the implementation of the two projects will revolutionize the nation’s ports besides creating opportunities for employment and huge revenue into the federal till.
Dantsoho who disclosed this during an interactive session with maritime journalists in Lagos said the modernisation project which will cover all the nation’s seaports is set to kick off in the ones situated in Lagos with an investment of not less than $700 million by the Federal Government.
The NPA helmsman who was represented at the interactive session by the General Manager, Corporate and Strategic Communications, Mr. Ikechukwu Onyemakara stated that the execution of the two projects is expected to tackle pressing issues such as port congestion and delays in cargo clearance which have bedeviled the nation’s seaports over the years.
He explained that the multi-billion naira government parasatal is also working to improve logistics, including rail transportation from APMT terminal, Apapa, Lagos and other alternative cargo transport options to port users.
He also explained that the NPA is reviewing the Efficiency, Throughput, and Optimization (ETO) initiative put in place to address logistics chain challenges in the country’s port system.
His words: “I can assure you that the review would yield a more effective implementation plan with provisions to ensure the ETO works seamlessly”.
He dismissed claims in some quarters that the projects are restricted to the ports situated in Nigeria’s commercial nerve centre, Lagos.
According to him, when we were doing the dredging, the ports in the East were also carried along. Government investments are focused on areas with returns on investment which is why Lagos is the starting point.
Dantsoho who has served in several capacities in NPA, including Port Manager, Onne Ports Complex, Onne, Rivers State prior to his appointment as the NPA CEO expressed optimism that the government agency vision for the ports industry would leave a lasting legacy for generations yet unborn.
He enjoined maritime journalists to play a proactive role in monitoring societal developments just as he emphasized the importance of a free and vibrant press in driving progress and accountability.
According to him, the media has been advised to be creative and step up its role as watchdog of the society.
