The Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) has opted for a Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement to address the menace of infrastructural decay within the ports in NIgeria.
Speaking recently at a breakfast meeting organized by the Maritime Reporters Association of NIgeria (MARAN) with theme, “Deplorable State of Infrastructure At TinCan Island Port” the Managing Director, Mohammed Bello-Koko who was represented by General Manager, MD’s Office, Mr. Ayo Durowaye said Bello-Koko said the reconstruction of Tin Can Island quay apron was top on NPA’s agenda as the port’s state requires urgent attention. He, however, noted that though there were infrastructural challenges in the environment, it had not come to the level where vessels were avoiding the TinCan Island facilities, he noted that recently PTML terminal which also is at TinCan Island berthed the largest RoRo Vessel ever to call to NIgeria, he however informed that the current management of NPA has painstakingly made efforts to find different options in the face of difficulties in sourcing the huge funds needed to uplift the facilities. He however, regretted the decades of neglects of the facilities as according to him the cost implication for fixing port infrastructure deficit now outweighs the Authority’s budgetary provision. Hence it has to explore other sources of funding the rehabilitation projects.
The managing Director disclosed that management has explored and identified sustainable Public Private Partnership funding options which have been forwarded to government for necessary approvals.
In his words, “I am glad to inform this distinguished gathering that we are at conclusive stages of discussion with local and international partners with the requisite financial and technical competence to fund the Tin Can Port reconstruction project,
He added that, the management in the meantime are fixing what is within their capacity, just as he disclosed that the MD recently commissioned renovated Control Towers at both APAPA and Tin Can Port. He also said measures have also been taken to forestall port infrastructure having to deteriorate so badly before intervention can come, saying that with the new Concession Agreements which ensures that all parties to the agreement would be alive to their responsibilities, especially as it concerns infrastructure maintenance.
Also speaking at the event, the Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Hon. Emmanuel Jime commended MARAN for taking the bold step in hosting the breakfast meeting to discuss on the deplorable state of infrastructure at Tin Can Port, which he said, has engineered robust discourse aimed at proffering solutions to the problem.
He pledged to collaborate with the association in its efforts to address the numerous challenges facing the sector, calling on the leadership to make him an integral part of their planning in future for a more elaborate and conducive environment to discuss such issues as it according to him makes his work as port system economic regulator easier.
The Chairman of the occasion, Dr. Eugene Nweke in his opening speech had opined that the current state of the nation’s ports should necessitate an urgent declaration of state of emergency with collapsed quay aprons and other flaws at seaports.
Nweke described seaports as vital components in global shipping business, he maintained that the ports should be carefully managed as the physical interchange or middle grounds for the trading community.
MARAN President, Mr. Godfery Bivbiere, had earlier in his welcome address called on the federal government to consider exempting maritime agencies from some bureaucratic processes to enable them address quickly issues like the one at Tin Can Island Port.
“It is my considered view therefore, that given our circumstances, the Federal government should become more representative and exempt the maintenance or replacement of critical facilities from the Civil Service procurement process”. he said.
Among other notable stakeholders who added their voices on the discourse includes, former Director General of NIMASA, Barr. Temisan Omatseye, the president of Barge Operators of Nigerian (BOAN) Hon. Olubunmi Olumekun, President-General of Maritime Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MWUN), Comrade Adewale Adeyanju and Chairman, Board of Trustees, Nigeria Shipowners’ Association (NISA), Chief Isaac Jolapomo.
Other highlights at the meeting was the inauguration of the newly elected executive MARAN whose oath of office was administered by the Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Shippers’ Council, Hon. Emmanuel Jime.
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