The Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority, Malam Habib Abdullahi has expressed the Authority’s preparedness to partner with relevant stakeholders, including the Nigerian Indigenous Ship-owners Association (NISA) so as to achieve the desired development of the maritime sector of the economy.
Malam Abdullahi who made the pledge in Lagos while receiving the newly elected executive members of the NISA who paid him a courtesy visit in his office last week, reiterated that all the stakeholders have a common stake in the overall growth of the nation’s maritime sector.
The Managing Director noted that the authority held the Association in high esteem as a major stakeholder in the industry whose members’ views on issues that border on maritime administration cannot be ignored.
He however enjoined them to let their relevance and importance be felt in the scheme of things.
He assured the association that although the responsibility for the implementation of the cabotage Act lies with Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), the authority would continue to support, encourage and work for the successful execution of the Act adding that the gains of the Act would be mutually beneficial to all stakeholders.
While admonishing the body to make its voice heard by being active, he enjoined them to patronise the Continental Shipyard Limited (CSL) an NPA Joint Venture Company for the repair of their ships, the Managing Director expressed his readiness to partner with NISA in the formation of a joint committee to look into areas of mutual interest.
Earlier, the President of the association, Capt. Dada Labinjo had told the Managing Director that the new executives decided to visit him because it recognised NPA as very important government agency in the maritime affairs of the country.
Capt. Labinjo added that as stakeholders there was need for healthy relationship between NISA and NPA so that both can collaborate and synergise for the development of the maritime sector in order to attain international standards in the nation’s shipping industry.
The NISA President observed that such collaboration was urgently needed now in view of the dwindling revenue from oil and gas due to the falling prices of oil in the world market, and therefore the urgent need to position the maritime sector as an alternative to oil and gas in revenue generation for the nation.
While thanking the Managing Director for his gracious support to NISA over the years and calling for more active involvement of NPA in Nigeria Maritime Expo (NIMAREX) activities,the NISA President suggested the composition of a joint committee of NISA and NPA to look into areas of mutual benefit to both parties.
