Economic regulator: NPA backs NSC

The Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) Alhaji Habib Abdullahi has directed that office accommodation be provided for the Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC) in all the ports across the nation, in order to enhance better performances of its new roles as the economic regulator in the nation’s port industry.

He gave the directive when the Executive Secretary of NSC, Mr. Hassan Bello paid a courtesy visit to the management of NPA at the Authority Headquarters Marina, Lagos.

The Managing Director assured that the authority is ready to cooperate and support Shippers council in its new role adding that “it would amount to failure on the part of NPA if NSC fails”.

Abdullahi noted that he sees the visit to all sister agencies as planned by the NSC as a sensitisation of stakeholders of the various roles of the Council for the mutual benefits of everyone in the port industry and appealed to relevant stakeholders to support the council in the discharge of its new mandate.

While commending Bello for the initiative, Abdullahi noted that the sensitisation visits will enable stakeholders in the industry to have a better understanding of the new functions of the council.

Bello had earlier in his opening remarks said the purpose of the visit was to solicit co-operation and support from NPA which is the first organisation the Council was visiting in its sensitisation visit programme.

He said NSC will continue to press or quality services in the industry, and ensuring that there is a balance in relationship between service providers and users in the industry.

He acknowledged that NPA was the most ardent supporter of NSC when a regulator was being sought for the industry, adding that the position of NPA was always clear at all times.

Bello commended the initiative of the present NPA management for introducing e-payment solution which was applauded by stakeholders.

He promised to complement the efforts of NPA, to sanitise the ports since both organisations are determined to achieve the same objective, adding that the council will collaborate with NPA to move the industry forward.

Present at the meeting are the Executive Director Finance and Administration Mr. Olumide Oduntan, General Manager Finance Mr. C.J Okonji, General Manager New Business Joint Venture, Mrs. Ugo Madubuike and General Manager, Security Col. Jamil Tahir (rtd) as well as General Manager Capital Project, Engr. Mohammed Rufai.

[This Day]