Governor of Kano State, Dr.Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso has commended Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) for its contributions to the social and economic development of Kano State through its continuous participation in the Kano International Trade Fairs over the years.
According to the statement released by the assistant General Manager Public Affairs NPA, Musa Iliya, the Governor made this known in Kano on the occasion of Nigeria Ports Authority’s special Day at the just concluded 35th Edition of Kano International Trade Fair which was held between Saturday 22nd November and 4th December, 2014.
The statement quoted the Governor as saying that the NPA has not only participated but has both sponsored and partnered with the Kano Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture, (KACCIMA), organizers of the Fair, to ensure the success of the annual event.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Kano State Ministry of Agriculture, Alhaji Mohammed Dankande Ibrahim, Governor Kwankwanso pointed out the theme for this year Fair, which is, “Promoting Agriculture and other Non-Oil Business Sector for Sustainable Development”, was chosen to demonstrate the determination of the state government to explore other revenues sources, encourage and to support people of Kano, majority of which he said are farmers.
He solicited for the support of NPA in this regard so that Agriculture can be positioned as alternative source of revenue for the state and Federal Government in view of the present dwindling revenue from oil as a result of falling prices of Oil in the world market.
The statement further said that the President of the Chamber, Alhaji Umar FarukRabiuDansuleka thanked the Authority for its support and called for a sustainable mutual economic relationship between NPA and the Chamber.
AlhajiDansuleka disclosed that in a bid to encourage Kano businessmen and women who may want to do business with NPA but may be discouraged by distance, the chamber has provided an office for such transactions and urged the Authority to ensure that the office becomes operational soonest.
The President also enjoined the Authority to assist thechamber to ensure the full utilization of the Inland Container Depot in Kano so as to alleviate the problems being faced by Kano business men in transport their cargo from Lagos to Kano.
Responding, the Managing Director of Nigerian PortsAuthority, Mallam Habib Abdullahi expressed condolences to the Government and people of Kano on the recent Bomb blast where many people lost their lives.
The Managing Director who was represented by the Assistant General Manager, Seaview Properties Ltd, a subsidiary of NPA, Engineer. PhillipsonFalade, said Inland Container Depot, also known as dry port is paramount to NPA operations, adding however that dry ports cannot function without an efficient rail network.
He asserted that the Authority is more concerned about the functionality of the dry ports than the chamber, because, as he puts it, it will further decongest the port and its access roads.
A guest at the occasion and the Commissioner for Trade and Commerce, Zamfara State, Hon UmaruJiboBukkuyam lauded the efforts of the Authority at promoting economic activities in the Northern part of Nigeria and invited the Authority to Zamfara State Trade Fair which he said will soon hold.
The Emir of Kano, His Royal Highness, AlhajiMuhammedSanusi 11 was represented on the occasion by the Makaman Kano, AlhajiSeriki Abdullahi Ibrahim.
While the Koroso Dancers entertained the audience, the Hakaka Drama group made a drama presentation that depicted the core essence of the Authority and also explained the operations of the Authority after the ports concession in Hausa language.
Highlight of the occasion was a tour of the exhibition pavilion of the Authority by guests and other visitors.
