The Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Mallam Habib Abdullahi has reiterated the willingness of NPA management to provide necessary support and information to the World Bank towards arriving at an effective report for its use as well as providing support services to the Nigerian government. This is even as the World Bank has commended the Nigeria for the success of its port concession programme.
Represented by the Executive Director Marine and Operations; Engr. David Omonibeke, Abdullahi said this during the visit of Davinder. P. S. Sandhu, Team Leader of World Bank’s Panel of the Public Private Infrastructure Advisory Facility (PPIAF) to the Corporate Headquarters, Marina.
He said Nigeria’s port concession exercise implemented ten years ago has been a success.
He noted that part of the achievements of the port concession include include improved turnaround of vessels and improved efficiency in cargo handling.
The General Manager Eastern Ports, Joshua Asanga in his contribution stated that the maritime sector is the only one so far that has achieved greater success through privatisation amongst other sectors.
According to him, key performance indices show that the turnaround time for vessels has reduced from seven days in 2005 to four days in 2014 while cargo throughput has doubled.
The PPIAF team leader noted that the team’s visit to Nigeria was to have a first-hand information on the steps taken by the Nigerian government towards the success story of the port concession.
He noted that Nigeria being a big player in the maritime sector has a lot to give to the World Bank as a way of assisting in its efforts to support other countries considering port concession.
Sandhu undertook an inspection tour of some concessioned terminals at Lagos Port Complex and Tin Can Island Port both in Apapa, Lagos.
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