Business
NPA Sees Concession As Boost To Economy
The concession of Nigerian ports by the Federal Government has led to the upsurge in the nation’s economy.
The Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Omar Suleiman disclosed this during the 18th Breakfast Session of the American Business Council in Lagos at the weekend.
The Federal Government, he said, is repositioning the ports for greater efficiency to attract private sector participation in the maritime industry.
Port concession, Suleiman said, was aimed at meeting the demand of shipping traffic in the 21st century, ensure harmonised integrated development and address all challenges that could hamper trade facilitation at the ports.
The target of the Federal Government, he said, is to make Nigerian ports the leading ports in Africa.
To achieve this, the managing director told the Council that the Federal Government had approved the construction of 1.6 kilometer dual carriage road in Apapa, Tin-can Island service lane, Kirikiri Lighter Terminal Phase II and Industrial Estate Road at Tin-can Island, which has been completed.
On inter-modal transportation system in the ports, Suleiman said NPA is collaborating with Nigerian Railway Corporation to rehabilitate rail network of Lagos and Port Harcourt ports.
He also told the Council that government has embarked on rehabilitation of the harbour to protect it and provide calm waters for vessels navigating and berthing at Lagos ports.
Ongoing rehabilitation of the moles, he said, was aimed at restoring the integrity and stability of the break waters damaged over time due to wave attacks and erosion.
NPA, he said, has embarked on continuous management of the channels via two joint venture companies.