Many stakeholders took turns yesterday to shower encomiums on the outgoing Port Manager of the Lagos Port Complex, Apapa, Mrs. Olufunmilayo Olotu as she began the process of handing over the reigns of office to her successor, Charles Okaga.
At a ceremony held at Rockview Hotel, Apapa, the stakeholders commended Olotu for her work ethic, passion, drive and commitment to excellent service delivery at the port.
Stakeholders at the event included terminal operators, shipping companies, representatives of government agencies, haulage truck operators, freight forwarders and many others.
In her valedictory speech, the outgoing Port Manager said with a strong commitment to professionalism, the port, under her watch, was able to win the fight against corruption, facilitated trade and surmounted other challenges that hindered effective business activities.
She said when she resumed at the port four years ago, she was confronted by enormous challenges, which she was able to surmount through hard work, firmness, fairness, friendliness, transparency, accountability and equity.
On her achievements as Port Manager of LPC, she said she was able to improve trade facilitation in a safe, secure and customer-friendly environment, entrenched zero tolerance for corruption, recovered various sums of money owed the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), increased revenue generation and collection and encouraged improved staff performance.
She commended staff of the port, terminal operators, shipping companies, government agencies, clearing agents, truckers associations, security operatives and other stakeholders in and around Apapa for their contribution to her successful tenure at the nation’s largest seaport.
She charged the stakeholders to extend the same level of collaboration her successor whom she advised to stay focused on the mandate given to him, and be true to his conscience in discharging his duties.
In his goodwill address, the Country Managing Director of APM Terminals Nigeria, Frederik Klinke, commended Olotu for her contributions to the development of the port, even as he wished her success in her future endeavours.
Klinke assured the incoming Port Manager, Charles Okaga, of full cooperation and support in ensuring efficient service delivery at the port.
Also speaking, the Executive Director Operations of ENL Consortium, Mark Walsh, described Olotu as a dedicated and knowledgeable port administrator who have indelible marks at the Lagos Port Complex Apapa.
He said Olotu’s contributions to port development in Nigeria is well documented and will be remembered for generations.
The Managing Director of Greenview Development Nigeria Limited, Akin Omole, also commended Olotu for exhibiting professionalism during her service at the port. He said the port, under her leadership, recorded numerous achievements.
Also speaking, the Port Manager, Tin Can Island Port Complex, Buba Jibril said Olotu, whom he has known for 34 years, is reputed for her exceptional work ethic.
He said the outgoing Port Manager changed positively changed the work environment at Calabar Port and later at the Lagos Port Complex Apapa – both places where she served as the Port Manager.
Jibril said Olotu mentored many people in the maritime sector.
Olotu has been posted to the headquarters of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) at Marina, Lagos as Assistant General Manager Tariff and Billing.