Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) Mallam Habib Abdullahi has pledged to give necessary support to the National Automotive Council (NAC) to ensure the full and successful implementation of the new National Automobile Policy of the Federal Government.
Abdullahi, who made the pledge in Lagos last week, said successful implementation of the policy would be for the overall economic interest of the nation.
Speaking when he received the Director General of NAC, Aminu Jalal who paid him a courtesy call in his office, Abdullahi implored stakeholders in the nation’s maritime sector to cooperate with the Council in the discharge of its new mandate with the provision of relevant operational information.
He said as NPA was no longer directly involved in cargo handling due to the port reform, NAC should seek the cooperation of government agencies like the Nigeria Custom Services and Nigerian Shippers Council for the gathering of necessary information on automobile importation into the country.
Abdullahi assured that NPA would on its part make necessary consultations to identify how to make the work of the Council easier and achievable at the nation’s seaports.
He commended the passion and zeal of the NAC staff in the discharge of their assignment since the introduction of the new policy.
“We are seeing and reading in the media all that you have been doing in the Council. I must commend your zeal and the passion of your staff to achieve your new mandate. I urge you not to relent. Criticisms will come, both informed and the uninformed ones. Just remain focused and know how to handle them in the national interest,” he said.
Speaking earlier, Jalal told his host that considering the role of NPA in the nation’s maritime sector, the Council needed its support to fully implement some aspects of the new national automotive policy.
He said the Council would need regular information on vehicle importation into the country as a major requirement of the national automobile policy.
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