From right: Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority NPA, Mohammed Bello -Koko presents a plaque to the Oba of Lagos, His Royal Highness, Alaiyeluwa Oba Rilwanu Babatunde Osuolale Aremu Akiolu during the courtesy visit at the Oba’s palace, Lagos recently.

The Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, Mohammed Bello –Koko led other top management of the agency on a courtesy visit to the Lagos Paramount ruler, the Oba of Lagos, His Royal Highness, Alaiyeluwa Oba Rilwanu Akiolu in his Palace, Iga Idunganran, Lagos.

This visit comes less than two weeks after President Muhammadu Buhari confirmed the appointment of Bello-Koko as the substantive MD of the NPA, having been on acting capacity since May 7, 2021.

The Managing Director told the traditional ruler that the purpose of the visit was to officially seek his support and cooperation for the new management of the NPA in its quest to make the nation’s seaports highly efficient and globally competitive.

He noted that since last year even while on acting capacity, the management under his watch has taken giant steps in introducing innovative policies and programmes towards making the ports efficient and user-friendly. He cited the electronic call-up system for haulage trucks and other articulated vehicles, which helped in eliminating the Apapa gridlock as well as introduction of multi-modal transport system through the movement of containers in and out of the ports using barges, which has also reduced congestion at the seaports.

The paramount ruler, who extended a warm welcome to the visiting team, thanked the visitors for finding time to visit his palace. He also assured the management of the support and cooperation of the Oba-in-Council to enable the management have a smooth and successful tenure in office.