Vincent Toritseju
30 December 2018, Sweetcrude, Lagos — The Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, Hadiza Bala Usman has assured stakeholders in the maritime sector of management’s renewed vigour and determination at improving on its operational efficiency and accomplishments recorded especially in the New Year.
Bala Usman in a statement signed by Mr. Adams Jatto, General Manager, Corporate and Strategic Communications, yesterday called on terminal operators and port users that it would further open its doors for all players to surmount various bottlenecks with a view to providing a healthy and smooth environment for all Stakeholder’s.
Furthermore, she assured port users of management’s renewed efforts towards the swift evacuation of cargoes from the Nigerian ports to the hinterlands and other landlocked neighbours.
She recalled that with the Ease Of Doing Business introduced by the Federal Government, management “wishes to inform all that it has partnered with notable organizations and the Federal Ministry of works, Power and Housing at the reconstruction of dilapidated roads within the ports axis for efficient services across the board.”
“Management has also assured all that it would sustain and step up in the culture of efficiency and transparency”
The agency reiterated that it has put in place structures to drive this dream through the launch of the Revenue Income Management System (RIMS), which is a web-based billing and revenue collection application fully automated for the entire billing circle of the NPA amongst others.
“The Authority wishes to inform all, of its desire at improved collaboration with sister agencies towards a more seamless operation in the Ports environments with intent to reduce human contact.
”In this regard, it is partnering with the Nigerian Customs Service, NCS, for the quick facilitation of the Single Window platform aimed at simplifying and harmonizing formalities, procedures and the related exchange of information which will be a major priority in the coming year.
Management further assures all willing investors of its renewed determination at attracting investments to the Ports across the country through infrastructural development.
It further added that “Management wishes to stress that there has been constant dredging of the Channels to attain the expected draught level for incoming vessels at our ports.
“This is expected to lead an unprecedented revenue generation and with the expectation that this effort would further be surpassed in the New Year.
“Management assures all of its unflinching support aimed at building on the successes of the sector towards the growth and development of the nation especially in the area of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and economic rebound in the near future.
It stated that cargo owners are advised to take advantage of the recent regime of incentives including the downward review of the charges to ameliorate their financial burden; these include a regime of three free days to twenty-one free days, for the next four months.
According to it “The demurrage free period on the return of the empty containers has been increased from the current 5 days period to fifteen days as well.”
