The Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) Mallam Habib Abdullahi has pledged to give all the needed support to the Nigerian Automotive Council to ensure the full and successful implementation of the new Federal Government National Automobile Policy.
The Managing Director who gave the pledge in Lagos said the successful implementation of the new automobile policy would be for the overall economic interest of the nation.
Speaking when he received the Director General of the Nigerian Automotive Council, Engineer Aminu Jalal who paid him a courtesy call in his office, Mallam Abdullahi implored stakeholders in the nation’s maritime sector to cooperate with the Council in the discharge of its new mandate with the provision of relevant operational information.
He also told the Director General that as the Authority was no longer directly involved in cargo handling due to the port reform, the Council should seek the cooperation of government agencies like the Nigeria Custom Services, Nigerian Shippers Council for the gathering of necessary information on automobile importation into the country.
Mallam Abdullahi assured that the NPA would on its part make necessary consultations both within and outside the Authority to identify how to make the work of the Council easier and achievable in the nation’s sea ports.
He commended the passion and zeal of the Council’s staff in the discharge of their assignment since the promulgation of the new national automobile policy, urging them not to relent even in the face of criticisms by some uninformed interests who were doing so because of their selfish interest and not in the national interest.
“We are seeing and reading in the media all that you have been doing in the Council. I must commend your zeal and the passion of your staff to achieve your new mandate. I urge you not to relent. Criticisms will come, both informed and the uninformed ones. Just remain focus and know how to handle them in the national interest” he said.
Earlier, the Director General of the Council, Engineer Jalal had told the Managing Director that considering the role of the Authority in the nation maritime sector, the Council needed the support of the Authority to fully implement some aspects of the new national automobile policy.
He said the Council would need regular information on vehicle importation into the country as a major requirement of the national automobile policy.
Other officials of the Council who accompanied the Director General include Engineer Olu Ibhadode, Mr. Ezekiel Dakolo and Mrs Bukola Akinmolayan.
