In its renewed determination to explore possible areas of foreign business collaboration, the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) has evolved new aggressive strategies designed to attract foreign investors and business collaboration to the nations seaports.
Sequels to this, two Ports in United States of America (USA) have indicated strong interest to have business relation and collaboration with the Authority (NPA).
The two ports, namely, the Port of Miami and Port of Everglades which were recently visited by some Board and Management members have indicated their willingness to have business relation with the NPA which would facilitate technology transfer as well as foreign investment.
The NPA Managing Director, MalamHabibAbdullahi who led the delegation on the working visit to the two ports assured that the Authority would support and encourage a business relationship with the two ports under the Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement.
In all the meetings he held in the two ports, the Managing Director educated the Ports Management of the efforts of the Federal government to reposition the nation’s seaports for a greater efficiency, competitiveness and enhanced performance, adding that the continuous growth being experienced in the nation ports is a reflection of government efforts anchored on the need to deliver service in accordance with the international best practices.
Mlalam Habib encouraged the foreign investors to take advantage of the development of existing ports in the country and the on-going deep sea ports projects in the country.
He assured his audience of the abundant maritime business opportunity in the nation’s seaports all waiting to be tapped, adding that the Authority will do all within the extant laws to encourage such prospective investors.
At the port of Miami, Mr Richard de Villiers in the office of the Port Director informed the delegation of the activities in the port in Cargo and Cruise operations, stevedoring, security as well as crane management.
He explained that the port of Miami and the NPA could work out a mutual business relationship, especially in areas of their comparative advantages, assuring that the port of Miami would be very willing to collaborate with the NPA.
Also at the port Everglades, the Deputy Port Director, Glenn A. Wiltshire told the delegation that the port had an elaborate plan to collaborate with any port in any region of the world but depending on the volume of trade.
At a Business Round Table discussion he held with members of the Inbound Business Development Mission, Miami, NPA Managing Director, MalamAbdullahi implored the members, some of whom are Nigerians, to support the Federal Government efforts to develop the nation’s economy in all sectors.
While urging the Nigerian business men at the meeting, most whom have shown interest to do business in the country,to shun any frustration they may suffer, MalamAbdullahi enjoined them to take advantages of the incentives put in place by the Nigerian Export promotion council (NEPC), under the One-Window-Export programme.
The delegation also held meeting with the leadership of the (MBDA) Minority Business Development Agency at Miami in the presence of its Operator and Executive Director, Marie Gill.
On the entourage to the working visit are AlhajiAminuBabba Dan Agundi, a board member, Mr OlumideOduntan and EngrSaniSaleh both Executive Director Finance & Administration and Engineering &Technical Services respectively, Mrs UgoMadubuike General Manager Business Development and Joint Ventures, Mrs Eniola Williams General Manager Board, Captain Jerome Angyunwe, Asst. General Manger, Harbours, Engr. Musa Wada, Port Manager Calabar and Mrs Ramat Jimoh of the Legal Department as well as Mr Bert Wille, the Managing Director Bonny Channel Ltd.
