Business
Reactivate NPA Technical School, Expert Urges FG
An operator in the Mari
time Industry, and President, Women in Shipping (WISTA), Mrs Ann Ukpong, has called on the Federal Government to reactivate and properly equip the Nigeria Port Authority (NPA) technical school, so as to train middle level manpower that the nation needs in the maritime sector.
She said also that the Federal Government should ensure that there is 24 hours power supply at the port to guarantee greater efficiency at the port.
Making this known while delivery a lecture titled “Challenges of Modern Port in Nigeria” in Port Harcourt, organised by the NPA Port Harcourt, penultimate Saturday, Ukpong said that the port system is geared towards increase in exchange activities.
Ukpong, who is also a maritime lawyer explained that the relevance of any port is the rate of its cargo throughout, adding that the essence of the new order of landlord – tenant relationship at the port is to foster better relationship and better goods in the industry.
She said “One major challenge of modern port in Nigeria is the security. This was identified by the United States, and they urged the Federal Government to do something about it, which it has began through NIMASA”.
“The Federal Government should emulate the security system of the port of Singapore. They have up-to-date security gadgets on security and operate a 24-hours security service as well as perimeter fencing round the port”, Mrs Ukpong said.
The WISTA president, however, expressed hope that, given the efforts being made so far by the Federal Government, Nigerian ports will witness a greater output in years ahead.
Corlins Walter