NPA to Collaborate With Stakeholders to Sustain Operational Efficiency

Eromosele Abiodun

The Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Hadiza Bala-Usman has promised to continue to sustain operational efficiency in the maritime sector.

She stated this when she accompanied the Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osibanjo on a working visit to the Lagos Deep Offshore Logistics base (LADOL), within the Lagos Ports Complex (LPC).

She said that the successful berthing of the Egina FPSO is as a result of operational efficiency and very robust synergy between the NPA and LADOL including other stakeholders whilst reiterating that it is a testimony of enhanced capacity of the Authority to handle greater responsibilities in the sector.

She encouraged other operators to emulate the investments made by Total, LADOL, Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) adding that government venture into the provision of a level playing field through anti-monopoly policies which have yielded great dividends.

“We as a result, hereby encourage prospective investors to explore this and other opportunities that the reform of our operation has engendered benefits as we assure of NPA’s willingness to facilitate these ventures. We must however advise business organizations to ensure strict compliance with the country’s statutory rules and regulations,”she said.

According to her, the multiplier effects of local content policy is evident in visible technological transfer, accrued revenue to the nation, as well as in employment creation, reduction in capital flight, attraction of hub status for the oil and gas sector in Nigeria amidst the cost saving attributes.

The NPA boss stressed that the Egina project is a statement by government that the quest for hub status is real adding that, “industrialisation is real and that private indigenous companies are able to thrive and support international projects and investors.”

In his speech, Osibanjo stated that the successful anchor of the Egina FPSO is not just a celebration of local content across board, but also a resounding testimonial of the success of the Ease of Doing Business in respect of the Ports industry.

Osibanjo, who represented President Muhammadu Buhari, also enjoined stakeholders within the industry to compete favourably whilst appreciating the facility.

He said: “Excellent work has been done here and they would be sacrosanct industry to the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (EGRP) of government in the long run as would be evident in the Nation’s GDP in no distant time.”
He congratulated the Local Content Board for contributing effectively at bringing the facility and project to fusion.

He used the opportunity to enlist the support of stakeholders in the federal government’s fight against corruption in order to join the comity of nations free from corruption.