The Chairman, Board of Directors, Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA), Chief Tony Anenih, has commended the efforts of the workforce in the Authority, especially those in the Rivers Port, Port-Harcourt, for sustaining the facility in the 100 years of its existence.
Anenih, spoke through Senator Florence Ita-Giwa at an interactive session with NPA workers at Rivers Port, Port-Harcourt, as part of the tour of the NPA Board members to the Eastern Ports in Port-Harcourt last week.
The Board Chairman, who appealed to the workers of the NPA to embrace the new efforts of the Board, assured that the Board was determined to make the nation’s seaports world-class standard in service delivery.
Anenih reiterated that, with the calibre of members of the Board, they were fully ready to add value to the growth of the NPA, soliciting the cooperation of all cadres of the workforce to ensure greater success.
Also speaking, a member of the NPA Board, Alhaji Aminu Babba Dan’Agundi, implored the Management of the Eastern Ports to device strategies of increasing the tempo of activities in ports in the region, as well as increasing their revenue generation efforts.
Expressed concern that the Eastern Ports do not enjoy the patronage they deserve, even though the majority of the importers are from the region, Dan’ Agundi added that the Board was determined to reverse the trend, with a view to moving the NPA forward.
The NPA Managing Director, Mallam Habib Abdullahi, represented by the Executive Director, Marine and Operations, Engr. David Omonibeke, had said the working tour of the Board members was to enable them see the operations of the Authority firsthand, as well as enable them interact with the workers and other stakeholders.
He assured that the Board will do all within its powers to ensure that the nation’s seaports live up to the expectations of the stakeholders and the general public in efficient service delivery and contributions to the nation’s economic growth.
Acting General Manager, Eastern Ports, Mr. Dele Alabi, told the Board members of the characteristics of ports in the region, the cargos they handled, and the challenges confronting their operations, adding that, despite all the challenges confronting their operations, ports in the region have a strategic importance in the overall marine activities of the nation, especially their catchment areas.
Members of the Board on the tour included Ita-Giwa, Senator Lekan Mustapha, Dan’Agundi, Mr. Abana Mohammed Gidado, Omonibeke, and the Executive Director, Engineering and Technical Services, Dr. Sani Saleh.
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