The Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Ms Hadiza  Usman,  has promised to boost the nation’s economy through the provision of infrastructure and technologically up-to-date equipment at the ports.

In a statement made available to newsmen in Lagos, she said that the Federal Government through the NPA, would reposition the ports industry to play its key role as the gateway to the nation’s economy.

Usman, who was represented by the General Manager, Public Affairs, Chief Michael Ajayi, spoke at the Executive Business Networking Seminar organised by NIMPORT in Lagos.

She said the government was making efforts to reposition the ports in line with global trends.

Usman directed all terminal operators to invest more in up-to-date equipment that would make the nation’s sea ports competitive and efficient.

She said that growth in trade volumes was a strong factor for port investment to boost efficiency, build robust, responsive and competitive port economy in line with global best practices.

“Development and upgrading existing port infrastructure as well as improvement in performance have become imperative,” she said.

Usman said the vision of NPA “is to be the leading port in Africa’’.

She said NPA would review in line with global best practices, the agreement the terminal operators entered into with the Federal Government before the ports were concessioned in 2006.

She said that in countries like North America, Europe and Asia Pacific, growing container markets had led to upgrade of the existing port infrastructure with container handling automation already put in place to handle large carriers with up to 18,000 TEUs (containers).

She said this became imperative because manually-operated Rubber Tyre Gantry (RTG) cranes were no longer suitable to handle huge volume of containers from one vessel.

Usman said NPA must lead in modernisation of equipment and infrastructure to respond to global trends in shipping business.

She thanked the organisers of the seminar for their steadfastness and consistency.

The managing director said this had gone a long way in fostering mutually beneficial business relationship between the government and the private operators in the maritime sector.

In another development, the NPA and the Port of Miami are collaborating to boost export and trade facilitation programme of the Federal Government.

The U.S. International Trade Coordinator, Department of Regulatory and Economy Resources (RER), Mr Desmond Alufohai and the Director, Government and International Relations (GIR) for Port of Miami, Ms Debra Owen met the NPA managing director.

The duo were in NPA to explore opportunities in the mineral resources and agricultural produce of the country.

Speaking during an interactive session with the NPA’s Managing Director, Ms Hadiza Usman, the visitors expressed their readiness to assist in the development and modernisation of infrastructure at the nation’s seaports.

The delegation also expressed their determination to partner the NPA in the area of compliance and efficient port system.

They promised to assist the country to boost the economy by harnessing the immense opportunities in the exportation of farm produce and mineral resources to America.

Usman appreciated their gesture and said the Federal Government was desirous of also partnering the port of Miami in the area of tourism.

The managing director also sought technological transfer in the area of standardisation of farm produce, its preservation and packaging to meet international standard.