National maritime transport policy to unlock opportunities in Nigeria’s blue economy, says Bala Usman
. NPA boss, Olotu, Ukadike, others bag CILT awards
The Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority, (NPA), Hadiza Bala Usman has described the much anticipated National Maritime Transport Policy, as the key to unlock the huge potentials and vast opportunities in the nation’s blue economy.
According to her, a well articulated National Maritime Transport Policy would support local content development, create good value jobs and attract high impacting direct foreign investments within the context of the Federal Government’s Economic Growth and Sustainability agenda.
She said “we look forward to a policy with clear standard operating procedures (SOPs) that would guide our various operations, that would be strengthened by critical legal frame work and legislation from the National Assembly”
She added that, ” The policy should engender a competitive maritime domain with clear rules on institutional governance, service capacity and accountability.”
The NPA Managing Director who was one of the parastatal heads in attendance during the stakeholders’ validation workshop on the National Transport Maritime Policy hosted by the Federal Ministry of Transportation, called for greater synergy and collaboration between the public and private sector stakeholders to advance the interest of the maritime industry in Nigeria.
On the recently launched Electronic Call–Up System for Trucks , ETO, by the Authority, Hadiza said: “the web application would control the movement of trucks in and out of the ports in an orderly and safe manner, on a first come, first serve basis.
She listed some of the benefits that would accrue to the sector and the country to include, quick truck turnaround, reduction in port cost, transparent traffic management system and above all – a business friendly and globally competitive port system in Nigeria.
Meanwhile, Bala Usman has assured the youths of NPA-Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) Chapter of the support of the management at all times, especially towards developing the much needed capacity to grow the nation’s maritime industry.
The MD, who gave this assurance in Lagos, Saturday, spoke at the virtual official inauguration of the NPA-Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport CILT Chapter, codenamed: NPA/CILT NEXT GENERATION CHAPTER.
According to her, it was a thing of particular delight that youths of the organisation could come together to explore the opportunities that the CILT presents for the development of not only their individual careers but also the progress of the nation’s maritime sector as a whole.
She observed that such efforts of the youths will give people like her the confidence that the future will be better, adding that with young people who are diligent at work and committed to continuous search for knowledge and professional development, the sky can only be the limit for the industry.
This, according to her is given the antecedents and personal experiences where youths have been found to be unable to accept responsibilities and take advantage of opportunities at their disposal for their future growth and advancement.
She said: “In my experience, I have come to realise that one of the greatest pitfalls of youth is the inability to quickly come to terms with the responsibility that the future places on them. When youths do not understand the roles that they have in the future of a society, they are unable to explore the opportunities that the present offers them and build the necessary capacity for the future.
“This is why on a lot of occasions, when opportunity falls on the laps of young people, they are not sufficiently prepared to make the best of those opportunities to the benefit of society. This is why I am happy about NPA/CILT Next Generation Chapter.
“It is heartwarming that you have not just come together in unity as one would expect of every staffer of any organisation that aspires for progress, but you also made it a point of duty to develop yourselves and build the capacity of your members through your regular Zoominar series.
I encourage you not to relent in these efforts. Regardless of the challenges that you face, be rest assured that you will reap the reward of every investment that you put into the initiatives in the future to the benefits of yourself, the maritime industry and Nigeria, at large.
She therefore the youths of the support of the management of the NPA in every activity geared towards developing your capacity for efficiency.
She also thanked them for the award of honour given to her and promised to continue to make you proud by staying the course in the single-minded mission of leaving the Nigerian Ports Authority and the ports industry in Nigeria better and re-positioned to play a leading role in the sub-region.
In his remarks the CILT national president, Alhaji Ibrahim Jibril, enjoined the youth chapter to put their best, collaborate with sister organisations and most importantly, align themselves with the vision of NPA, which is built around excellent service delivery.
A highpoint of the event was the presentation of merit awards to deserving individuals led by the MD, NPA, Hadiza Bala Usman and immediate past General Manager, Corporate and Strategic Communications (C&SC), Engr. Jatto A. Adams (rtd.).
Others award recipients are Pharm. Christy E. Akpa (Mrs.) GM, Medical Services, Mr. Innocent Gamboro Umar GM, BS/LA, Mrs. Josephine Moltok, AGM London Office, Mrs. Bolanle Olufunmilayo Olotu, Port Manager, Lagos Ports Complex LPC, Principal Manager SERVICOM, Calabar Port, Mrs. Funmilayo Loremikan FCILT and Principal Manager C&SC, Calabar Port, Dr. Chijioke K. Ukadike.
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