The minister of Transportation, Engr Mu’azu Sambo, has commended the managing director, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), over his reforms that has led to increase in revenue generation for the authority.
In a press statement by the acting general manager, Corporate and Strategic Communications, Sarah Ballah, the minster said, the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration is pleased with Bello.
According to the statement, the minister gave the commendation during his maiden visit to NPA as part of the activities marking the celebration of the World Maritime Day, 2022, with the theme ‘ New Technologies for Greener Shipping’
Ballah, further stated that the minister was accompanied by the minister of state for transportation, Ademola Adegoroye, the permanent secretary, Ministry of Transportation Dr. Magdalene Ajani.
Sambo stated that President Buhari led administration was quite pleased with the reforms being implemented by the NPA Management in moving the nation forward in view of positive developments the sub sector has brought to the nation’s economy in line with international best practices.
The Muhammadu Buhari-led administration he said, was quite elated with Mohammed Bello Koko and his management team for their efforts at resuscitating and boosting the economy especially the Gross Domestic Product ( GDP) which has cushioned the effects of the resources of the Nation caused by the fall in the prices of crude oil.
The minister also solicited for further cooperation from other relevant stakeholders, while assuring the stakeholders and the maritime community of the readiness of government to provide the enabling environment and support to the management of the NPA under the stewardship of Bello Koko towards making the port environment more efficient and customer friendly in order to attract investments and remain relevant within the comity of maritime nations.
“MD NPA, I must state that Council is happy with you and your team. I commend you and your Management team for your efforts in moving the nation forward especially the increase in revenue generation to government coffers. You have done well, but I call on you to further block all other grey areas,”he said.
Engr. Sambo further reiterated the commitment of the federal government in ensuring that the Lekki Deep Seaport project commences operations as scheduled before the end of 2022.
According to him, the Lekki Deep Seaport and the recently approved Badagry Deep Sea Port would create an avenue jobs for Nigerians, encourage trade and investment and further boost Revenue generation to the country.
In addition, he called on the MD NPA to ensure the full implementation of Barge operations at the Ports to further facilitate the movement of goods from the seaports.
He said this would also be beneficial to the nation in the area of more jobs for those in the business of fabrication as well as reduce the cost of doing business by investors.
Speaking earlier, the MD of NPA, Bello Koko whilst welcoming the minister of Transportation and the top brass of the Ministry to the corporate headquarters of NPA, informed them and other stakeholders of management’s resolve at further positioning the nation’s seaports in line with international best practices.
Koko, however, appreciated the efforts of the ministry in providing support to the Authority at all times , whilst soliciting for assistance in other grey areas of its operations.
He assured the minister and his team that the present management under his watch would ensure that operations of its services are further improved upon in view of the constant global competitiveness towards attaining a hub status within the sub Sahara Africa.
