The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has expressed readiness to deepen bilateral ties with Belgium to increase the efficiency of Nigeria’s seaports and record growth in trade volumes between the two countries.
Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, Managing Director of NPA, made this known while receiving Pieter Leenknegt, the Ambassador of Belgium to Nigeria.
Dantsoho stated that the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has given the authority the necessary backing to enhance Nigeria’s share in the trade statistics of West and Central Africa.
The NPA boss highlighted that Nigeria has the largest market share of West African freight from the Port of Antwerp, accounting for over six million tonnes annually.
He noted that the Port of Antwerp is a significant maritime center in Europe, with numerous supply chain connections, and that Nigeria is ready to leverage Belgium’s technical expertise to operationalise the Port Community System (PCS).
Dantsoho emphasized that this collaboration will prepare Nigeria for the forthcoming National Single Window Project of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration, aimed at enhancing port operational efficiency.
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