From left: Nigeria’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Amb. George Oguntade, Secretary General of the International Maritime Organisation, Mr. Kitack Lim and Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority, Hadiza Bala Usman, shortly after the election in London last week.

BY FRANCIS EZEM

The International Maritime Organisation IMO has elected the Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority NPA, Hadiza Bala Usman as Vice Chairman of the Facilitation Committee FAL, of the global maritime regulatory body.

This election comes less than six months after the MD was also elected the African Regional Vice President of the International Association of Ports and Harbours IAPH, which held its annual conference in Abuja last year with the theme: ‘African Ports and Hinterland Connections’.

The NPA-boss was elected at the just concluded FAL meeting held at the IMO headquarters in London, United Kingdom.

Her election was one of the outcomes of the 43rd session of the committee held from April 8-12, 2019.

The committee is charged with the responsibility of dealing with matters related to the facilitation of international maritime traffic, including the arrival, stay and departure of ships, persons and cargo from ports.

The committee also addresses electronic business, including the single window concept, and aims to ensure that the right balance is struck between regulation and the facilitation of international maritime trade.