29 March 2017, Sweetcrude, Lagos – The Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, Ms Hadiza Bala Usman, has pledged to work towards effective implementation of the Nigerian Ports Master Plan and to ensure it becomes a reference point in all matters concerning operational efficiency in the industry.
She promised that NPA would prioritise the utilisation of railway networks in the efficient distribution of cargos across the seaports in line with best practices.
The managing director, who spoke when a team from the Oxford Business Group UK visited the NPA headquarters in Lagos, stated that the maritime industry has embraced intermodal dictates, assuring that the NPA would “key into that most efficiently”.
Concerning trans-shipment, she stated that through synergy with the private sector, NPA was geared towards actualisation of deep seaports across the country, which, according to her, would help position Nigeria for greater economic growth.
Usman also stated that the competitive tariff regime being put in place by the authority would “place us on a better platform in the sub-region”.
On the perennial gridlock hampering efficient service delivery at the Lagos ports, the NPA boss said there was already a robust approach amongst stakeholders to tackle the problem and the success of the effort would reflect soon on the affected access roads.
She reiterated that the NPA management was focusing on the rehabilitation of infrastructure at the ports to optimise operations, which, she said, would bring in more revenue for the country at this time of need.
The team from the Oxford Business Group comprised Regional Manager, Africa Elise Postigo; Country Director, Nigeria, Diana Rus and Editorial Manager, Davide Rasconi.
