IAPH: NPA, China Port Sign MoU on Port Development for Two Years

ABIOLA Seun

The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and Guangzhou Port Authority, China, on Tuesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on port development.

The MoU was signed in Abuja the Managing Director of NPA, Hadiza Bala Usman and the Deputy Director-General of Guangzhou Port Authority, Yuan Yue, at the ongoing meeting of International Association for Ports and Harbours (IAPH).

It was gathered that the MoU would be for two years in the first instance with effect from the date the parties appended their signatures and may be renewed yearly based on mutual agreement.

The MoU aims to share best practices, expertise in port operations, management strength, communication, cooperation on investment and promotion.

Other fields include innovative techniques, personnel, infrastructural and port scientific technical development to “jointly promote effective logistics, trade and information.”

Also, the MoU is designed to enhance Port capacity for the service of regional economy on non-committal basis.

Under the arrangement, the parties shall cooperate with each other especially in the areas of logistics, Port industries, Port Culture and will endeavour to support each other to open a representative office where necessary in furtherance of the objective of the MoU.

Speaking on the MoU, the Deputy DG of Guangzhou port, Yue after signing the agreement said the agreement is a framework for sharing information and ideas and port development.

She said, “The MOU is about two ports relationship to share information and ideas on how to improve the port. We will talk about cargo build up to the shipping companies to make offer for more shipping lines.

“Also, to do training and how to have the future and see how things are developing and also we have some platforms every port has its hinterland. You know every port has its hinterland, we signed a framework but we will do something more like training, like development, share experience together and so many things together.”

According to Yue, “The parties will contribute jointly towards advancement of Green Port development and cooperation on port environment protection, energy-saving and emission reduction.

“The parties will establish an information exchange mechanism to regularly update each other on new development and popularise the application of information technology at the ports.”

“The parties will establish training programmes for management staff and technical specialists and planned exchanges for management staff of each other.”

“Friendly exchanges should be carried out in the general areas of expertise such as loading and unloading mechanism and equipment, electrical facilities, safety, engineering, information technology applications as well as exchanges of talent required in the implementations of this MoU, learning from each other and working together for mutual benefits.”

The MoU read in part, “The operation of the MoU is for duration of 2 years in the first instance from the date the parties appended signatures on mutual beneficiary basis renewable yearly.

The two parties would keep to confidentiality of information exchange, a requirement spelt out to remain valid even after the expiration, releasing or termination of the MoU.

“In case of inability to perform any obligation as occasioned by the MoU, no party would be held responsible if the inability is caused by unforeseen or unavoidable circumstances which whether accidental or not, is beyond the control man or any of the parties as a result of the aforementioned referred to as (FORCE MAJEURE).

“The document would be terminated when any of the parties writes the other stating and giving 2- week notice or by way of the afore stated situation, “FORCE MAJEURE”.

“Upon the dissolution of the MoU, the parties resolved to promptly and adequately settle disputes amicably.

“The collaboration was borne out of distinctive desire of the parties at ensuring they attain competitive advantage prioritizing greater and efficient customer service amidst the tenets of best practices.”

The Managing Director NPA, Hadiza Bala Usman endorsed on behalf of the Federal Republic of Nigeria while deputy director general, GPA Yuan Yue signed for the people’s Republic of China.

The event was witnessed by the Honourable Minister of Transportation, Right Honourable Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi.