The Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Alhaji Mohammed Koko, has said the agency is committed to becoming the leading port in Africa.
Alhaji Koko made this known the NPA special day at the ongoing Enugu international trade fair.
He called for collective commitment of trade development partners within the country to achieve this target.
”We will strive to be the leading Port in Africa, a dream we can all realise with collective commitment of trade development partners to which the Enugu Chamber of Commerce belongs.
”The Nigerian Maritime Industry is a prime economic driver, bearing in mind that 85 per cent volume of economic activities is delivered through the Ports worldwide.
“Maritime transport remains the gateway to the global marketplace. Ports are catalysts for economic development as they enable trade and support supply chains,” he said.
As a National Brand Asset Anchored on Service Excellence, he said, NPA is always pleased to attend events geared towards trade facilitation/economic development of our nation, especially towards promoting the potentials of our industrial sector and enhancing opportunities for Small and Medium Scale Enterprises.
The NPA managing director said that the Onne Port Complex and Rivers Port Terminal provides exporters adequate infrastructure needed to carry out their transactions at a given time frame.
He said that this was done to encourage the exportation of more made-in-Nigeria goods as well as non-oil exports from the country.
“We will continually give priority to exportation of agricultural produce and solid mineral resources and goods that will in turn enhance export and foreign exchange earnings.
“Furthermore, it should be mentioned also that rail lines into the Ports are being constructed and rehabilitated to ensure ease in the logistic chain,” Koko said.
In his address, the President of the Enugu Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (ECCIMA), Chief Odeiga Jideonwo commended NPA for the strategic role and commitment of the parastatal as well as the central role they play in the socio-economic lives of the people.
“This is particularly in the development and facilitation of commerce and industry especially in the maritime sub-sector of the transport industry.
“We are proud of your sustained presence in our fairs all these years and urge you to continue to keep faith with us as we work together to build a more prosperous economy for our dear nation, Nigeria,” Jideonwo said. (NAN)