The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) says policies introduced into the sector in the last one year have attracted investments worth over $86m.
The claim was contained in a statement issued in response to the allegation of the Committee of Maritime Professionals (CMP) that NPA’s current management led by Hadiza Bala-Usman, managing director, is hindering investment in the sector.
According to I. S. Nasiru, principal manager, public affairs at NPA, all policies and procedures introduced since the appointment of Bala-Usman are borne out a “firm commitment” to actualising the change agenda of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration.
“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,” the statement read.
The statement also disclosed that Tanger Med Port of Morocco has indicated interest to invest the development of Greenfield Terminal, Logistics Base and warehousing and a variety other opportunities running into billions of dollars.
Nasiru said in its enthusiasm to improve the ease of doing business and increase revenue accruable to the country from its operations, NPA is guided by global best practices and a sense of fairness to all stakeholders in the industry.
He invited all stakeholders in the maritime sector to work together in the interest of the industry and the national at large.
“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,” Nasiru said.
