NPA Reforms Have Increased Ports Competitiveness, Efficiency - MD

Abiola Seun

The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has disclosed that its current reform process is targeted at improving revenue generation and competitiveness of the nation’s seaports.

Managing Director, NPA, Hadiza Bala Usman, who spoke at the opening of a workshop for journalists organised in collaboration with Premium Times Services, in Lagos yesterday, said the reforms would enhance ports operations and make them more competitive.

Speaking on NPA and ongoing reforms, Usman said the order is already yielding results as the sector now experience reduced operational expenses, better management control, and increased customer satisfaction.

She added that the transformation is now making Nigerian ports to be “attractive before investors for national growth and development,”
“As we move forward at further repositioning the sector through our operational diligence by the help of Ease of Doing Business, I call on your increased partnership to navigate through the troubled waters towards maximising the benefits of the sector. As a major player, we assure you that we shall explore optimally in the area of revenue generation and job creation to the benefits of the Nigerian populace across board,” Usman assured.

She applauded the unalloyed support of the media which has helped the authority to record tremendous progress at all fronts at ensuring that the sector competes favourably within Sub-Saharan Africa, Gulf of Guinea and the international community.

According to her, the ongoing reforms has helped NPA is some feats such as; the commissioning of the command and control communication and intelligence centre; acquisition of four new tug boats to further improve operational efficiency; upgrade of 25 years port development master plan; and transformation of the authority’s manpower development practices to improve the skill, knowledge and capacity of employees among others.

Chief Executive Officer, Premium Times, Dapo Olorunyomi, said the training is aimed at exposing journalists to new trends in reporting.
He said the media is facing crisis in the digital era and one of the best ways of facing this challenges is to deploy digital tools.
General Manager, Corporate and Strategic Communication, Jatto Adams, seek adequate partnership with the media in propagating the reforms in the industry.
He said the maritime sector is critical to the Nigerian economy and the reports should promote growth and development of the economy.