MD NPA, Mohammed Bello -Koko (middle), Chairman, House Committee on Ports & Harbours, Garba Muhammed Datti (2nd left), Deputy Chairman of the committee, Jimoh Ojugbele (left), Executive Director, Finance & Admin. Adenrele Adesina (2nd right), and the Executive. Director, Marine & Operations, Onari Brown (left) during an oversight visit to NPA, Lagos, recently.

The quest of the Mohammed Bello-Koko-led management of the Nigerian Ports Authority NPA to develop the nation’s seaports through infrastructure upgrade, automate and integrate port operational systems to enhance efficiency and competitiveness received a major boost as House Committee on Ports & Harbours has lauded the NPA and expressed its willingness to partner the authority.

Bello-Koko, who led other top management of the NPA to play host to the committee during an oversight visit Monday, said that the management under his watch is doing everything possible to develop port infrastructure in addition to automating and integrating the operational systems of the ports.

He listed the upgrading port control towers and equipping them with modern communication equipment, reconstruction of some port terminals including the Tin Can Island Ports as well as the introduction of a Port Community System project being executed in conjunction with the International Maritime Organisation IMO, among others.

 Speaking during the visit, chairman, of the committee, Garba Muhammed Datti commended the NPA management over its commitment to modernise the country’s seaports with a view to making them efficient and globally competitive.

He assured the management that the committee in particular and the National Assembly as a whole was willing to partner and support the management in its lofty quest and therefore urged the Managing Director not to fail to identify ways the legislative arm of the government would be of help to the port system in the country.