Matthew Otoijagha
The Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Hadiza Bala Usman has reiterated the determination of the organization to support the completion of all deep seaport projects across the country, considering their potential to the future maritime activities of the nation.
According to Usman, the early completion of the projects would not only facilitate operational efficiency, but would also strengthen the Federal Government’s policy of the Ease of Doing Business.
While speaking in Lagos when management of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) led by its Acting Director-General, Engineer Chidi Izuwah visited NPA Head Office in Marina, Lagos, Usman reiterated the need to fast-track dredging the port channels to accommodate bigger vessels, which would generate more revenue for the country and improve trade facilitation in the sub-region.
The NPA boss said plans were underway for the development of a viable business model for the idle Lily-pond container terminal located in Ijora, Lagos to enhance cargo delivery at the Lagos ports.
ICRC Director-General, Engineer Chidi Izuwah, applauded what he called the positive changes witnessed at the port. Izuwah also lauded the Federal Government’s port reform program of 2006. The ICRC, he said, would support the drive towards ensuring the sustenance of the growth of port operations in the country.
Izuwah said ICRC, which acts as the ‘’eyes and ears’’ of the Federal Government was in Lagos to have a firsthand assessment of the operation of Lily-pond terminal.