THE Nigerian Port Authority (NPA) has urged the government and
investors in Belgium to take advantage of various investment
opportunities in Nigeria.
Managing Director of NPA, Habib Abdullahi, who spoke recently when the Belgium Ambassador to Nigeria, Diru Verheyen, paid him a courtesy visit in Lagos, also called on Belgium to explore more areas of cooperation especially in the shipping sector in Nigeria.
According to Abdullahi, the port reforms programme embarked upon by the federal government some years ago had opened many investment opportunities for investors.
He informed the ambassador that deep-sea ports were being developed in Lekki and Badagry (Lagos State), Ibaka in Akwa Ibom State and Olokola along Ogun/Ondo states maritime boundary, adding that all ports in Nigeria are under the control of NPA.
A statement issued by NPA quoted Abdullahi as saying the authority would continue to seek the support of the Port of Antwerp in the area of capacity building and manpower development.
While appreciating the existing mutual relationship between NPA and the Port of Antwerp, the managing director said that he was very happy that the Belgium Commercial Mission would soon visit Nigeria, stressing that their coming would further boost the economic relations between Nigeria and Belgium.
Earlier, the ambassador informed Abdullahi that the Belgium Commercial Mission’s proposed visit to Nigeria would open a new chapter in the training and investment needs of both countries.
Meanwhile, NPA has pledged to sustain activities of its four-pilotage districts as part of measures to ensure ultimate performance.
Abdullahi explained that the organisation would also provide all the operational requirements of the pilotage districts within budgetary provisions.
Abdullahi, who spoke in his office during a meeting with the leadership of the four pilotage districts, also commended the contributions of the members, consisting mainly of master mariners, for their contributions to ensure enhanced performance of the various pilotage districts.
He noted the concern of the members on navigational safety of the nation’s channels, and reassured them that NPA will continue to place priority on the training and re-training of its pilots.
NPA’s Principal Manager (Public Affairs), I.A. Suwaid explained in a statement that while emphasising the importance of the roles of pilots and Harbour Masters in the operations of the Authority, Abdullahi appealed to members of the pilotage boards to always make positive suggestions on the marine functions of the organisation.
He said that the NPA management with a view to improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the system would gladly consider such suggestions.
Abdullahi pointed out that the ports authority would find it difficult to record appreciable progress without strong pilotage boards.
Earlier, the leader of the group, Captain Abiodun Omoteso, told the NPA boss that the members were concerned about the safety of the pilotage districts of the nation’s territorial waters.
He appealed to NPA management to strive to implement the communiqué of a recent retreat held by members of the pilotage districts at Uyo, Akwa Ibom, in view of the major issues discussed at the forum.
In a related development, Abdullahi has said that the authority was fully committed to the improvement of the health care of its entire workforce.
Abdullahi spoke while flagging-off an awareness programme on cervical cancer, targeted at screening vaccination and treatment for female employees of the organisation.
Represented by the General Manager, Administration, Michael Ajayi, the managing director commended the Medical Department for its commitment to awareness campaigns on various health issues aimed at enhancing health potentials of workers.
Managing Director of NPA, Habib Abdullahi, who spoke recently when the Belgium Ambassador to Nigeria, Diru Verheyen, paid him a courtesy visit in Lagos, also called on Belgium to explore more areas of cooperation especially in the shipping sector in Nigeria.
According to Abdullahi, the port reforms programme embarked upon by the federal government some years ago had opened many investment opportunities for investors.
He informed the ambassador that deep-sea ports were being developed in Lekki and Badagry (Lagos State), Ibaka in Akwa Ibom State and Olokola along Ogun/Ondo states maritime boundary, adding that all ports in Nigeria are under the control of NPA.
A statement issued by NPA quoted Abdullahi as saying the authority would continue to seek the support of the Port of Antwerp in the area of capacity building and manpower development.
While appreciating the existing mutual relationship between NPA and the Port of Antwerp, the managing director said that he was very happy that the Belgium Commercial Mission would soon visit Nigeria, stressing that their coming would further boost the economic relations between Nigeria and Belgium.
Earlier, the ambassador informed Abdullahi that the Belgium Commercial Mission’s proposed visit to Nigeria would open a new chapter in the training and investment needs of both countries.
Meanwhile, NPA has pledged to sustain activities of its four-pilotage districts as part of measures to ensure ultimate performance.
Abdullahi explained that the organisation would also provide all the operational requirements of the pilotage districts within budgetary provisions.
Abdullahi, who spoke in his office during a meeting with the leadership of the four pilotage districts, also commended the contributions of the members, consisting mainly of master mariners, for their contributions to ensure enhanced performance of the various pilotage districts.
He noted the concern of the members on navigational safety of the nation’s channels, and reassured them that NPA will continue to place priority on the training and re-training of its pilots.
NPA’s Principal Manager (Public Affairs), I.A. Suwaid explained in a statement that while emphasising the importance of the roles of pilots and Harbour Masters in the operations of the Authority, Abdullahi appealed to members of the pilotage boards to always make positive suggestions on the marine functions of the organisation.
He said that the NPA management with a view to improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the system would gladly consider such suggestions.
Abdullahi pointed out that the ports authority would find it difficult to record appreciable progress without strong pilotage boards.
Earlier, the leader of the group, Captain Abiodun Omoteso, told the NPA boss that the members were concerned about the safety of the pilotage districts of the nation’s territorial waters.
He appealed to NPA management to strive to implement the communiqué of a recent retreat held by members of the pilotage districts at Uyo, Akwa Ibom, in view of the major issues discussed at the forum.
In a related development, Abdullahi has said that the authority was fully committed to the improvement of the health care of its entire workforce.
Abdullahi spoke while flagging-off an awareness programme on cervical cancer, targeted at screening vaccination and treatment for female employees of the organisation.
Represented by the General Manager, Administration, Michael Ajayi, the managing director commended the Medical Department for its commitment to awareness campaigns on various health issues aimed at enhancing health potentials of workers.