NPA, Port of Antwerp sign MoU to enhance efficiency

Abiola Seun |

The Management of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and the Port of Antwerp Belgium have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) towards operational efficiency in line with the desire to deepen the mutual beneficial relationship existing between the two Ports.

The MoU which now exists between the two Ports is also expected to strengthen the bilateral relations between the two Organisations.

Speaking to stakeholders at the Corporate Headquarters of the NPA, the representative of the Managing Director, the Executive Director Marine and Operations, Dr Sokonte Davies submitted that apart from resulting in boost of efficiency through expertise, development and digitalization, the MoU would ensure simultaneous growth with new skills being acquired and new trends opened.

The agreement which will last for five years effective today(Wednesday) the 27th day of November, 2019 will also broaden technical skills and practical knowledge.

The Representative of the Managing Director and Executive Director, Marine and Operations, NPA, Dr. Sokonte Hutttin Davies (sitting 3rd from left), the Chief Executive Officer, Port of Antwerp Int’l APEC, Kristof Watersehoot (4th from left), the Chairman NPA Board, Emmanuel Adesoye (left), the Ambassador of Belgium, His Excellency, Daniel Dargent (right), and General Manager, Legal Services / Secretary to the NPA Board, Eniola Wiliams (2nd left) during the official signing of MOU between Nigeria and Belgium at the NPA Corporate Headquarters in Lagos.

According to a statement made available to our correspondent, the Memorandum of Understanding covers vast areas which includes infrastructure, stimulation of trade growth as well as concretizing the enabling environment for the tenets of Public Private Partnership (PPP) to thrive amongst the two Ports.

According to the team from Port of Antwerp, they see greater future in the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) as it makes progress in its concessioned regime.

Thus the reason for the mutually beneficial Memorandum of Understanding.

Annick De Rider, President Port Of Antwerp, said :“West Africa takes a large share in the traffic of Port of Antwerp. It is therefore our ambition to further strengthen our position in West Africa.

“We aim to pass our know-how and experience. We hope that this mission will create new fruitful contacts, new connections and new business opportunities in order to ensure future growth for years to come”.

L-R: The Representative of the Managing Director and Executive Director, Marine and Operations, NPA, Dr. Sokonte Hutttin Davies, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Port of Antwerp Int’l APEC, Kristof Watersehoot, the Ambassador of Belgium, His Excellency, Daniel Dargent and the President Nigeria-Belgium Chamber of Commerce, Dr. Timi Austen-Peters during the official signing of MOU between Nigeria and Belgium at the NPA Corporate Headquarters in Lagos.

The Ports of Antwerp is the second largest Port in Europe that aims for flexibility, response to a rapidly evolving Maritime Market, allowing the Port to continue playing roles in cooperation, adaptability and focusing greatly on digitalization.

In his contribution, the Chairman Board of Directors of the NPA, Emmanuel Olajide Adesoye stated that the industry expectation is that the two Organisations would leverage on each other’s expertise for growth in trade, which would result in Global Economic Development for the two Nations.