NPA brainstorms on 5-year development plan, seeks partnership with Hong Kong port

The Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Mallam Habib Abdullahi, has called on top management staff of the organisation to remain focused and rededicate themselves towards attaining its mission and vision of becoming the leading port in Africa and to deliver efficient port services in a safe, secure and customer friendly environment.
Abdullahi made the call on Saturday while speaking at the opening session of a retreat aimed at fashioning out a five year strategic development plan for the NPA. He said said the time has come for every top management staff of the Authority to initiate strategies for the overall development of the nation’s seaports to meet International standards.
While reiterating the need for every top management staff to embrace new technology and innovation that can make the mission and vision a reality, he urged participants to draw a roadmap for the future of the organisation.
Speaking earlier, the Executive Director, Finance and Administration of NPA, Mr. Olumide Oduntan, told the gathering comprising of  Executive Directors, General Managers,Assistant General Managers and Port Managers that as leaders, there are subordinates who look forward to them for inspiration and leadership. He said NPA has a direction that is outlined in its vision and mission, which all management staff must key into.
After watching a video clip on the Port of Singapore during the opening session, Odunatan told the participants that “nothing happens by chance. Somebody or group of people dreamt about what is happening now in Singapore and other major ports of the world some years ago”.
Participants at the weekend retreat stressed the need for every employee to imbibe the culture of efficiency and leave no margin for error at the work place irrespective of cadre in the organisation.
Other areas of management that participants suggested should be looked into include reward and consequence system in the work environment, motivation, attitudinal change, succession plans, political interference, multiplicity of agencies at the ports, monitoring and evaluation of performance , among others.
Meanwhile, Abdullahi has called for mutual economic cooperation between NPA and the Port of Hong Kong, especially in the area of training and manpower development.
Abdullahi made the call in Lagos recently while receiving the International President of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT), Dr. Dorothy Chan who paid a courtesy visit to his office on Friday.
He said NPA has operated the landlord model of port operation since 2006 after port terminals were concessioned to private operators.
He said NPA is willing to avail its experiences to other ports who may wish to operate the model.
Abdullahi noted that NPA has benefited from the programmes of CILT and other organisations like the Port Management Association of West and Central Africa (PMAWCA), International Association and Ports and Harbours (IAPH), and others.
While acknowledging the support of the International President to the Nigerian chapter, he assured Chan that NPA will continue to give maximum support to the activities of CILT.
Earlier, the CILT International President who hails from Hong Kong and is the first female President of the 95 year old institute, said she is aware of the enormous contributions NPA has made towards the growth of CILT in Nigeria.
Chan appealed to appealed to Abdullahi to assist CILT Nigeria in respect of its bill before the National Assembly which she said aims at according professional recognition to CILT in Nigeria.
She was accompanied on the visit by the International Secretary General of the institute, Keith Newton; President of CILT Nigeria, Major General U.T Usman, CILT Nigeria National Executive Director, Francis Ehiguese; and the Chairpersons of Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa and Ugandan chapters of Women in Logistics and Transport (WILAT).