Minister of Transportation, Engr. Mu’azu Jaji Sambo, has commended the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Mohammed Bello Koko, for the strides being recorded in revenue generation and remittances.

The minister gave the commendation during his maiden visit to the corporate headquarters of the NPA in Lagos as part of the activities marking the celebration of the World Maritime Day 2022.

Sambo was accompanied by the Minister of State for Transportation, Ademola Adegoroye, the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Transportation, Dr. Magdalene Ajani, some directors and other top officials of the ministry.

The minister stated that the Muhammadu Buhari-led administration is happy with the reforms being implemented by the NPA management in moving the nation forward.

He also solicited for co-operation from other relevant stakeholders, while assuring the maritime community of the readiness of government to provide the enabling environment in making the port environment more efficient and customer friendly.

His words: “MD NPA, I must state that Council is happy with you and your team. I commend you and your management team for your efforts in moving the nation forward, especially the increase in revenue generation to government coffers. You have done well, but I call on you to further block all leakages.”

Sambo reiterated the commitment of the Federal Government in ensuring that the Lekki Deep Seaport project commences operations as scheduled before the end of 2022.

According to him, the Lekki Deep Seaport and the recently approved Badagry Deep Seaport would create jobs for Nigerians, encourage trade and investment and further boost revenue generation to the country.

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In addition, he called on Koko to ensure the full implementation of barge operations at the ports to further facilitate the movement of goods from the seaports.

He said this would also be beneficial to the nation in the area of more jobs for those in the business of fabrication as well as reduce the cost of doing business by investors.

“We are ready to assist you in ensuring that the use of barges are fully implemented in your operations. We need to work the talk while we wait for the conclusion of other means of evacuation of boxes from the ports to cushion the effect of logistics through land transportation,” he added.

Earlier, the NPA MD informed the ministers and other top officials of the management’s resolve at positioning the nation’s seaports in line with international best practices.

Koko appreciated the efforts of the Ministry in providing support to NPA at all times while soliciting for assistance in other areas of its operations.

He assured the minister and his team that the present NPA management under his watch would ensure that operations of its services are further improved upon towards attaining a maritime hub in the sub-Sahara Africa.

Koko stated that management is in the process of acquiring additional tug boats and Pilot Cutters for its officials to facilitate their operations.

This, he said, would further reduce vessel waiting time and attract investment at the ports.

Present to receive the minister and his team were the NPA Board Chairman, Engr. Akin Rikkets, Executive Directors of the Authority as well as top management personnel of the Authority.

The Star