LAGOS, JUNE 29, 2016 – The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), says the maritime sector is a very important alternative source of revenue to crude oil.
The Managing Director of NPA, Malam Habib Abdullahi, said this when he met with the Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria, Mr Bayo Onanuga, in Lagos on Wednesday.
Abdullahi said NPA was willing to work closely with NAN in the area of publicity towards projecting the nation’s economic diversification efforts.
He said: “As a government organ, we want our activities to be publicised, not only in Nigeria but globally and I know that it is your responsibility to do that.
“Of course, as I said it is your responsibilities, it is (for) mutual benefit.
“We give you the information, and you promote us and it helps you to do your job as well.
“At this critical time whereby we are looking for other sources of revenue, we feel that the maritime sector is very important as an alternative to oil.
“We, therefore, must come up with something to make sure that export promotion is being highlighted because we want our port not only to be a source of import but also a gateway to the economy, not only coming in but going out as well.
“So that at least that will assist in diversifying the economic activity in the country.’’
Earlier, the Managing Director of NAN lauded the commitment of the NPA boss toward making the nation’s ports the hub of West Africa while recalling the days when Conotou was the shippers’ preferred destination.
He urged the NPA boss to intensify efforts at making sure that the importers and exporters use the nation’s ports as primary ports for their activities.
“We came around and we saw so many things going on here.
“A kind of renewal going on here and we must commend you for all the efforts you are making.
“We also take note of what is also happening at our ports; all the efforts being made by you to make sure that you get things right.
“In terms of making our ports a hub for the West Africa to start with. In the past, we have been losing ships to Cotonou and people preferring to go there and clear their goods instead of clearing it at the Lagos ports and Tin-Can and Nigerian ports generally.
“I know you have been making efforts to make sure that things are done much quicker than before.
“I must commend you for continuing to put in more efforts that Nigerian businessmen or importers and even exporters use our ports as the primary ports of either export or import,” Onanuga stated.
