The Management of the
Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) is considering renting all spaces hitherto occupied by government and private agencies at the nation’s seaports as a source of additional revenue.
According to the General Manager, Public Affairs of NPA, Chief Michael Ajayi, the Executive Director, Marine and Operations of NPA, Dr Sokonte Davies, gave the indication in Lagos.
“As the port area is a commercial entity, all tenants should be ready to pay for rent at the rate to be determined by the Management of NPA,” Davies said.
The executive director, who was on a familiarisation tour of locations in Lagos Ports Complex (LPC) said “the payment of rent, as it concerns government agencies, would only apply to those who have budgetary provision for such rents in the ports’’.
He urged operators within the ports to improve the sanitary conditions in their operational areas and assured that the management of NPA would provide them with requisite enabling environment to ensure efficient operation at the ports.
Davies assured operators within the Lagos Pilotage district that the management of NPA would strive to meet the needs of shipping companies and terminal operators within the Pilotage district.
He urged them to fulfill their financial obligations to the organisation.
Davies, during the tour, inspected the Control Tower, the Fire Station and general environs of the port.
He said the environmental sanitation of the complex should be maintained at all times.
Davies directed that the newly-posted men from the Port Police Command, living in some containers within the port premises should vacate the area before the end of the month.
He said that the containers were not supposed to be residential areas.
Davies, during the visit, had a session with officers of the LPC and urged them to do their work diligently and imbibe the spirit of moving the organisation forward.
He said that the new management would ensure justice, equity and fairness in the affairs of the organisation.
The Manager of LPC, Hajia Aisha Ali-Ibrahim, had earlier intimated the executive director with the activities of the port and highlighted the fact that the port would synergise with the management toward success across the board.
The executive director was accompanied on the tour by the General Manager, Marine and Operations, Mr. Joshua Asanga; General Manager, Monitoring and Compliance, Capt. Iheanacho Ebubeogu; General Manager, Health, Safety and Environment, Malam Yusuf Ahmed; General Manager, Western Ports, Mr Biodun Gbadamosi.