The Olu of Warri, His Royal Majesty, Ogiame Ikewoli, has called on all stakeholders in the Delta Ports to give maximum support and cooperation to the Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Hadiza Bala Usman so that the transformation she has brought to the region could be fruitful and sustained.
The Royal father made this call while receiving the representative of the Managing Director, the Executive Director, Marine and Operations, Dr. Sekonte Davies in his palace in Warri on Tuesday.
He asserted further that Nigerian Ports Authority remains part of his family and that he is always happy to associate with the organization, stressing that as the first female Managing Director, she has transformed the fortunes of the ports in his domain, namely Warri, Koko and Sapele ports which has been dormant over the years.
While praying for the Managing Director to succeed in her assignment, he said the people are excited and happy about the dredging of Escravos channel which he said will boost the economy of Delta state,
The Executive Director had represented the Managing Director at the 3rd edition of the stakeholder forum for Warri port.
In his welcome address, the port manager of Delta ports, Warri, Mr. Simon Okeke disclosed that Warri port has never had it better than now and commended the present executive management for providing infrastructure that is making Warri port to function optimally.
He added; “Since the last Stakeholders’ Meeting, several positive developments had been achieved by this management. The entire port is fully illuminated. The Executive Management is equally giving befitting attention to our channels”.
In his remarks, the Executive Director, Marine and Operations, Dr. Sekonte Davies noted that the present management had initiated the idea of the forum as a way of identifying the challenges of the industry and also to monitor the pace of progress in ports operations.
He pointed out that one of such challenges is the issue of draught of the channels and that management is encouraging stakeholders to embrace the use of flat bottom vessels at Warri port which has been experimented in Calabar port.
Dr. Sekonte said further; “Now that management is ready, we beg for your cooperation. We cannot stop this government from doing what we can do. We are here as a family, urging both hands to wash each other”.
One of the stakeholder, President of the Warri Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture { WACCIMA}, Mr. Simon Asite lauded the efforts of the present management under the Managing Director, Usman towards moving the maritime sector forward in the Delta region.
Chairman, Ogbe\Ijaw Local Government Council, the host community, Hon. Friday Dengham assured the management that his council will ensure adequate security so that the on-going projects in Delta ports will go on uninterrupted.
Highlight of the occasion was the presentation of Certificate of Appreciation to the Managing Director by the immediate past President of WACCIMA, Dr. Austine Egbegbadia.
Photo: Representative of the Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), the Executive Director, Marine and Operations, Dr. Sokonte Huttin Davies addressing Stakeholders during an interactive forum at Delta Port, Warri.
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