*Channel dredging set to begin
Vincent Toritseju
01 June 2018, Sweetcrude, Lagos — The management of the Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, has concluded plans to deploy tugboats, pilot cutters and other equipment worth $40 million to boost efficiency at Calabar Port.
Speaking at a stakeholders meeting organized by the NPA, its Managing Director, Hadeeza Bala Usman said that ahead of the commencement of the dredging of the channel leading to the port which is set to begin as the four consultants engaged by the agency for the Bathymetric survey of the channel leading to the Calabar Port had concluded their assignment.
Usman, who was represented by the General Manager, Marine and Operations, Mr. Joshua Asanga, said the measure is aimed at boosting efficiency, security and making the port attractive to business.
She urged investors to take advantage of the strategic location of the port to boost export and assured them of the Federal Government’s commitment to dredging the channel to meet their expectations.
Usman assured the stakeholders and investors that adequate depth of the channel leading to the port would be dredged to accommodate big ocean-going vessels and that adequate security would be provided.
She urged government agencies at the port, to key into the Federal Government’s policy on ease of doing business, boost quick cargo clearance and facilitates trade.
At the meeting were representative of the host community, importers, clearing agents, terminal operators, investors and representatives of security agencies like the Police, Customs, Immigration and the Navy.
Calabar port is one of the key ports in the nation under the management of the NPA, with stakeholders saying that it has been developed into an ultra-modern port system since the current management took the mantle of office.