24 May 2017, Sweetcrude, Lagos – In a bid to reduce monopoly at the ports and enhance operational efficiency, the Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, Hadiza Bala Usman, has directed that every terminal in the port is free to receive any cargo in so far as the terminal has the technical competence to handle such.
The managing director also assured “a level playing field for all the operators,” adding that “no investor is above the law and that all must comply with laid down rules and regulations”.
Speaking when she received visiting members of the Nigerian Academy of Engineering at the NPA head office in Marina, Lagos, Usman requested for greater collaboration and support from the Academy in the areas of new engineering projects. She also affirmed that NPA had a large pool of competent engineers who are versatile, and are contributing immensely to the organisation.
The MD assured that NPA would support the Academy and that the organisation would be supporting relevant technical institutions as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility.
In her address, the President of the Nigerian Academy of Engineering, Engr. (Mrs) J.O. Maduka, expressed her joy at the achievements of NPA under Bala Usman, adding that NPA was noted for having produced very competent engineers in the past.
The president of the academy solicited NPA’s support in the efforts of the academy to resuscitate engineering institutions and colleges in Lagos, lamenting that government has not given enough recognition to the profession.