Nigeria: NPA Board Chairman Commends Rivers Port’s Workforce

The chairman governing board of the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA), Chief Tony Anenih has commended the efforts of the workforce in the Authority, especially those in the Rivers Port, Port Harcourt, for sustaining the Port in the last 100 years of its existence.

He therefore joined the workforce in celebrating the 100 years of the Rivers Port, considering their enormous contributions to the growth and development of the Port over the years.

The chairman was speaking through Senator Florence Ita Giwa at an interactive session with NPA workers at Rivers Port, Port Harcourt as part of the tour of the board members to the Eastern Ports in Port Harcourt yesterday.

The board chairman, who appealed to the workers of the Authority to embrace the new efforts of the Board assured that the Board was determined to make the nations seaports a world standard in service delivery to their stakeholders and the general public.

Chief Anenih reiterated that with the caliber of members of the Board, they were fully ready to add value to the growth of the Authority and therefore solicited the corporation of all cadres of the workforce to ensure greater success.

Also contributing, a member of the Board Alhaji Aminu Babba Dan’Agundi implored the Management of the Eastern Ports to device strategies of increasing the tempo of activities in Ports in the region as well as increase, their revenue generation efforts.

He expressed concern that Ports in the Eastern region do not enjoy the patronage they deserve, even though the majority of the importers are from the region, adding that the Board was determined to reverse the trend, with a view to moving the Authority forward.

The Managing Director NPA, Mallam Habib Abdullahi, through the Executive Director, Marine and Operation, Engr. David Omonibeke had said the working tour of the board members was to enable them see the operation of the Authority firsthand as well as enable them interact with the workers and stakeholders.

He assured that the board will do all within its powers to ensure that the nation’s seaports live up to the expectations of the stakeholders and the general public in efficient service delivery and contributions to the nation’s economic growth.

Acting General Manager, Eastern Ports Mr. Dele Alabi told the board members of the characteristics of ports in the region, the cargos they handled and the challenges confronting their operations, adding that despite all the challenges confronting their operations, ports in the region have a strategic importance in the overall marine activities of the nation, especially their catchment areas.

Members of the board on the tour included Senator Florence Ita Giwa, Senator Lekan Mustapha, Alhaji Aminu Babba Dan’Agundi, Mr. Abana Mohammed Gidado, Executive Director Marine and Operations, Engineer David Omonibeke and that of Engineering and Technical services, Dr. Sani Saleh.

[mappress]

Press Release, June 26, 2013