The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has urged that priority consideration should be given to exportation of agricultural produce.
The Managing Director, NPA, Hadiza Usman, made this plea, noting that the maritime sector was of great importance to the economy and had the potential to contribute a huge percentage to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product.
She said, “The maritime industry is the first industry that is truly global in nature. Towards economic diversification, the NPA has started the process of providing priority consideration for export of agricultural produce and solid minerals in our ports. We believe that there is a need to make a defined effort in prioritising this sector.
“We have commenced discussions with terminal operators. We believe that there are general cargo terminals that can accommodate agro produce. The standard operation procedures will be presented, which stipulate that priority consideration should be given to agro and solid minerals exports.
“Furthermore, the development of the Lekki and Badagry seaports are receiving all the necessary support from our organisation because of the role such facility will play in the economy of the nation.”
Earlier, the NPA MD said that approvals had been given for budgetary allocation, which would ensure that all degenerated infrastructure at the ports were repaired in order to increase traffic and operations.
She also expressed the NPA’s determination to stick to the details of its 25 years-master plan for the development of the ports in the country.
This, Usman said, would remove overlap of functions and ensure that the NPA was properly repositioned for improved revenue generation.
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