Mohammed Bello-Koko has said that the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, played a significant role in his emergence as the Managing Director of Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA).
Bello-Koko was appointed as the substantive Managing Director of NPA on Tuesday after serving as acting Managing Director for nine months.
In a series of tweets via his personal twitter handle @mojalilah on Thursday, Bello-Koko also expressed gratitude to President Muhammadu Buhari for giving him the opportunity to serve the nation.
“Firstly, I’d want to thank Almighty Allah, then express profound gratitude to His Excellency, President @MBuhari for this incredible opportunity to serve the nation as the Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority.
“A special appreciation to the Honorable Minister of Transportation, Rt. Hon. @ChibuikeAmaechi, whose recommendation played a significant role in my confirmation.
“With my experience as the Executive Director F&A and later Acting Managing Director, I will continue to work with all stakeholders to create an institution that is responsive to the expectations of the government, maritime industry, and the general public,” he tweeted.
Listing out his priorities as the new helmsman of NPA, Bello-Koko said he would work towards the rehabilitation of decaying ports infrastructure, improve marine services, cut down on expenditures, improve revenue, and “aggressively” pursue the “recovery of debts”.
“As we complete the @LekkiPort, we are open to investments to develop other strategic deep seaports in the country.
“We will however not relent in our core mandate – trade facilitation; easing gridlock in the ports corridors, and encouraging the full utilization of the Eastern Ports.
“Our vision is to have a fully automated port system that will fit into the global port standards.
“I’m not unaware of the enormity of the task reposed on me. I will, therefore, carry it out with the utmost diligence and put the national interest ahead and above anything else.
“Lastly, I want to extend my profound gratitude to the Board, Management, and staff of the Authority for their support and professional relationship.
“Special gratitude to my friends and family, especially, for their understanding and perseverance, and the general public for their kind words and best wishes. I feel greatly honored and do not tae your works for granted,” Bello-Koko further tweeted.
Copyright Ships & Ports Ltd. Permission to use quotations from this article is granted subject to appropriate credit given to www.shipsandports.com.ng as the source.
