Thursday, 28th March 2024
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MD says NPA targets improved ports infrastructure to aid cargo evacuation

The Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) Hadiza Bala Usman, has expressed her determination to improve the present state of infrastructure to meeting world class standards towards ensuring the swift evacuation of cargo from the seaports across the country to the hinterlands through the rail lines. According to her, NPA was fully aware of…

Nigerian Ports Authority

The Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) Hadiza Bala Usman, has expressed her determination to improve the present state of infrastructure to meeting world class standards towards ensuring the swift evacuation of cargo from the seaports across the country to the hinterlands through the rail lines.

According to her, NPA was fully aware of the state of congestion in the ports caused by the bad roads within the port axis.

This she regretted has led to a reduction in revenue accruable to the Authority as well as the inability of the nation to maximize her potential as a major player in the maritime sector within the Sub-Saharan Africa.

Hadiza, who was represented by a General Manager at NPA, Captain Iheanacho Ebubeogu at a facility maintenance inspection of rail lines said: “Management would collaborate and improve on the existing synergy with the NRC at addressing the challenges facing the corporation with a view to increasing the market size of the country in the area of cargo evacuation “.

Managing Director, Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Fidet Okhiria stated that the working visit was to assess the present state of the rail lines in order to further collaborate with the NPA in the area of rehabilitation.

Okhiria, who was represented by the Director Operations, NRC, Niyi Alli, said the rail service would be optimally utilized for Cargo evacuation in line with the Federal Government’s policy of Ease of Doing Business in the country.

He stated that plans are being concluded by putting into operation between 15- 20 Locomotive Wagons with each evacuating 20 units of 40 footer container at a go from the terminals to the hinterland.

It would be recalled the Honorable Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Amaechi, recently instituted a Committee comprising the Managing Directors of NPA and NRC as well as their top echelon to carry out on the spot assessment of the present state of infrastructure of the rail lines in the Terminals.

It is expected that the rehabilitations would further go a long way towards the swift evacuation of Cargo from the Ports.

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