NPA Denies Anti-Port Investors’ Allegation
The Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) has denied allegations of anti- Ports investor’s posture leveled against the management led by the Managing Director, Ms. Hadiza Bala Usman by the Committee of Maritime Professionals (CMP) , saying the organization was currently being repositioned to accelerate the nation’s economic growth.
The NPA in a statement signed by the Principal Manager, Public Affairs Ibrahim S. Nasiru made available to journalists, urged the stakeholders to avoid the temptation of being carried away by emotions with the effect of making statements that may mislead the public.
The management argued that contrary to the allegations, the NPA is committed to realising the utmost potential of the maritime sector in the country.
It said, “And in achieving this, the interest of the country is placed above any other factor including existing contractual agreements that may have short-changed the country.
“We must state emphatically that even in our enthusiasm to improve the ease of doing business and increase revenue accruable from our operations, we are guided by global best practices without any prejudices at all.
“In all, the current management of the NPA is committed to continue to do business with existing concessionaires and collaborators whose ethics respect the principles of shared prosperity and the rights of Nigeria to earn the best dividend possible from its natural endowments and investments.
“Although we have started to see positive results, including massive investments in areas that the CMP is worried about, to optimally achieving the goals that we have set for ourselves we covert the support and partnership of the CMP and like-minded organisations.
“We are happy to report for instance, that proponents of the Lekki Deep Sea Port have recently informed the NPA of the readiness of the China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) to take up the balance of NPA’s equity to the tune of US$86,810,000.00(86 Million, eight hundred and ten United States Dollars) which the NPA is currently unable to bear. Both parties have already executed an agreement to this effect.”
NPA in the statement said Globally acclaimed Dubai Port World popularly known as DP World is also currently close to signing partnership agreement with Josepdam Port Services Limited, operators of the Bulk Terminal( Terminal A) at Tin Can Island Port Complex, saying the venture will see DP World deploying its resources to upgrade and deliver world class services at the facility.
“In the same vein, the NPA is currently working with DP World to actualise the organisation’s determination to invest in Greenfield port opportunities in this country.
“The plan is to develop a DP World Terminal in the Lagos area and a suitable site is currently being sought. Both the brownfield as evident in the agreement on the Bulk Terminal and the Greenfield are investments worth billions of United State Dollars.
“It is also noteworthy that Tanger Med Port of Morocco has equally indicated interest to invest in a variety of opportunities that the Nigeria economy presents. These include the development of Greenfield Terminal, Logistics Base and warehousing. Like the other listed above, this Foreign Direct Invest (FDI) also run into billions of dollars.
“The NPA believes that making the best of the vast opportunities that our maritime resources offer can only be derived from working together towards the same purpose. Nigeria stands to gain a lot from our unity and we appeal to all stakeholders in the maritime sector to let us work in unity for the prosperity of our country, ” it said.
