NPA MD: Revenue From Calabar Port Will Determine N50bn Dredging Investment

The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has said that the revenue
generated at the Calabar port would determine whether the federal
government would spend a whopping N50billion on the Calabar port
dredging.

Managing director of NPA, Hadiza Bala-Usman who disclosed this
last week while presenting a paper titled; “Driving The Change
Agenda Through Freight Forwarding,” at Prince Olawiyola Shittu
Colloquium and Book Launch said that the procurement process of NPA
estimated over N50 billion for the dredging of Calabar port.
According to her, NPA is looking to see the attendance revenue
generation that will justify such an investment for NPA to dredge
Calabar port.

She added: “We are also exploring the utilisation of the flat
bottom vessels. These are vessels that can navigate and can come
into the waterways without depth of dredge. Two of these vessels
berthed in Calabar, which was historic.

“We are encouraging shipping companies to utilise such vessels
and that will assist the Nigerian ports in having some vessels that
does not require such level of investment (N50 billion) in
dredging. “As to stick to the number to justify the N50 billion
investment required to dredge calabar port navigable, we are also
encouraging the importers to utilise the flat bottom vessels to
bring in cargo.

We also got an approval for dredging to 7 metres, which would be
completed in the next few months and that will go a long way in
reducing the congestion we have in Lagos ports,” she said. She
further explained that the completion of the dredging of the Warri
ports would also provide access for cargo particularly the
petroleum products coming into the country through other ports
location. In her paper presentation, she said the port is an
international border post and a point for maritime logistics
consisting of shipping companies, Port Authority and the freight
forwarders. She hinted that today’s customers seek a service that
is quick, reliable and flexible and yet offers good price, these
components are associated with an effective system for which the
freight forwarders must play a major role.

In order to execute its role to achieving the ease of doing
business and coupled with the expectations of the World Bank trade
facilitation agreement, she explained that the Nigerian Ports
Authority has taken the following steps to improving freight
forwarding in Nigeria by launching of the provisional, final
billing and customer portal module of Revenue Invoice Management
System aimed at improving service offering, partner relationship,
create efficient payment method, maximize revenue and eradicate
loss associated with fraud and revenue leakage as part of NPA’s
achievements. Also speaking at the event, the Executive Secretary
of the Nigerian Shippers Council, Hassan Bello in his presentation
tagged, “Regulation in freight forwarding” said there is a need to
grow Nigeria’s maritime industry to create employment opportunities
for the nation’s teeming unemployed youths.