Mallam Habib Abdulahi, Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has supported the provision of adequate port infrastructure by the Federal Government and the private-sector to facilitate export activities through the nation’s seaports.
Mr Abdulahi said that other factors which might be irrelevant to the authority are also critical towards achieving enhanced export activities in the nation’s seaports.
Malam Habib assured that the NPA would encourage any effort designed to change the trade orientation of the nation from import dependent to export.
He reiterated that as globally accepted seaports account for over 80% by volume of international trade and commerce, emphasising that for a seaport to be competitive, it must have a robust infrastructural base amongst other requirements.
To read a Technical Paper on the benefits of offshore ports in the US and Africa, click here
He argued that with the major infrastructural improvements embarked upon by the authority in its ports and harbour in all its four pilotage districts, coupled with the impending 25 year port master plan which has reached an advanced stage, the organisation is being positioned to properly meet the demand of all categories of port users for both imports and exports.
The NPA is also consolidating and entrenching the gains of the port reform by facilitating and synergising the activities of the private terminal operators, shipping lines, freight forwarders and other stakeholders, as well as improving the existing port infrastructure.
The projects are intending to add efficiency to the nation’s seaports as well as to make the system competitive, effective and user friendly.
Nigeria is currently going through a booming period, following news that the world’s leading shipping line Maersk would be building and upgrading ports in Nigeria and Kenya.
