The Nigerian Ports Authority says there are at least 5,000 abandoned containers at the nation’s ports, resulting in congestion of the ports.
Managing Director of the NPA, Mohammed Bello, stated this during an interactive session with the House of Representatives Committee on Customs on Tuesday.
Speaking further, Bello said other challenges experienced at the ports to include extortion at illegal checkpoints around the ports.
According to him, there are over 20 checkpoints mounted by the police, and in some cases, area boys collect these monies on behalf of security agencies.
A file photo of President Muhammadu Buhari (L) and NPA Chief, Hadiza Bala Usman.
President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the re-appointment of Hadiza Bala Usman as Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), for an additional five-year tenure.
According to a statement signed by Presidential spokesman, Femi Adesina on Thursday, the President has also approved the reconstitution of the Non-Executive Board of the NPA, with Mr Emmanuel Olajide Adesoye (from South-west zone) as Chairman.
Other members of the Board include Prince Ekenyem Nwafor-Orizu (South-east zone), Akinwunmi Ricketts (South-south zone), Ghazali Mohammed Mijinyawa (North-East zone), Mustapha Amin Dutse (North-West zone), and Abdulwahab Adesina (North-Central zone).
The statement added that the President has equally approved Board members for the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), who will oversee the selection of a new Managing Director for the organization. They are: Muhammad K. Ahmad, OON, (Chairman), Chief Henry Okolo, Imamudden Talba, Ambassador Usman Sarki, Ali Haruna, Engr. Simeone Atakulu, Zubaida Mahey Rasheed, Dr Mustapha Abiodun Akinkunmi, Engr. Oladele Amoda, and Dr Nkiru Balonwu.
Other members of the TCN Board are: Representatives of Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Ministry of Power, Bureau for Public Enterprise, FGN Power Company Limited, and Executive Management of TCN.
The Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Hadiza Usman speaks during a budget defence session before the Senate Committee on Maritime in the National Assembly on December 14, 2020.
The Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Hadiza Usman says the agency has incurred about a billion naira loss after hoodlums vandalized its office in the aftermath of the #EndSARS protests which rocked the country.
She disclosed this on Monday during a budget defence session before the Senate Committee on Maritime in the National Assembly.
According to the NPA boss, the hoodlums who attacked the agency set twenty-seven vehicles ablaze, burnt a portion of the buildings and looted office equipment.
She said the burnt portion was different from the amount that would be spent to replace the 27 vehicles set ablaze by the vandals while three others were stolen.
“As it relates to every other aspect of the building, we had made a detailed submission, attaching a bill of quantity of ₦807 million as the cost of rehabilitating the aspect of the building that were set on fire,” she said.
“As it relates to our motor vehicles, 27 vehicles were set on fire. Three vehicles were stolen, one of the vehicles was recovered.
“We are going through the process of insurance claims to see what portion of insurance were made available because the Nigerian Ports Authority meets up with all its insurance obligations.”
The managing director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, Hadiza Bala-Usman, has clarified claims in the Auditor General’s reports that the NPA is withholding remittances meant for the Federation Accounts
Bala-Usman who was a guest on Channels TV’s Sunrise Daily on Friday said the NPA has remitted all funds dating as far back as 2016.
“We have insisted that all competition around remittances are prioritized. I started in 2016 July and from then henceforth, I have ensured that we have made payment as and when due, so that we don’t have any carryovers and indeed, some of the non-payments arising from those years, we have had to make payments to them and one of the concerns with the issue of audited statements is that you need to audit your statements and with that, you will be able to determine actual amounts,” she said.
“But even before your statements are audited, you need to now make those payments. That way, after the audit, we’ll know if there is a balance or not and when I joined we had inherited unaudited statements for 13, 14, 15 financial statements.
“We had to work hard to meet up with and audit the backlog to enable us to meet up. Thank God now we have been able to meet up, our audited statements are up to date and we are making the necessary remittance.”
Meanwhile, she also condemned the attack on the corporate headquarters of the NPA and the Tincan Island Port Office, in Lagos by hoodlums during the #EndSARS protest.
According to her, the incident has slowed down activities at the ports which had already been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
A damaged portion of the NPA headquarters. Photo: [email protected] Rotimi Amaechi.
The Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi has called for the arrest and prosecution of those behind the attack on the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA)’s headquarters in Lagos State.
“We toured the H/Q today & it wasn’t a good sight. If people are arrested for the crime perpetrated, they will not do it again. We have to go after the hoodlums & ensure they pay,” the former Rivers State governor said during a tour of the facility on Sunday.
While he admitted that protests are legitimate, Amaechi condemned those who hide under the guise of demonstrations to destroy public and private properties.
“The right to protest is defined in the laws of the land, it doesn’t include burning people’s private houses and public assets that belong to every Nigerian,” he added.
We toured the @nigerianports H/Q today & it wasn't a good sight. If people are arrested for the crime perpetrated, they will not do it again. We have to go after the hoodlums & ensure they pay. The right to protest is defined in the laws of the land, it doesn’t include burning… pic.twitter.com/KvSCbf8eUr
He described the damage as disastrous, recalling that he had been part of protests as a student but explained that they did not take the laws into their hands during those demonstrations.
“If you remember in 1983, during the time of Babangida and Buhari, we were always on the streets as students, we never took laws into our hands and we never destroyed people’s property,” the minister said.
He said with the level of destruction, NPA should come to the cabinet and ask for funds for the reconstruction of the place.
The NPA headquarters was part of the properties attacked by hoodlums in Lagos State in the aftermath of the #EndSARS protests.
Early last month, thousands of Nigerians thronged to the streets, calling for an end to police brutality and extra-judicial killings by the now-defunct Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).
A largely peaceful demonstration in several parts of the country, however, later turned violent with arson, looting and killing of security personnel and civilians alike after it was hijacked by hoodlums.
However, while replying the tweet, the NPA refuted NCDC’s claim, explaining that the agency has not recorded any case of COVID-19.
“Hello @NCDCgov,” NPA tweeted. “In respect to the 6 new cases that “were detected on a vessel” in Lagos, the Authority in collaboration with Port Health has not recorded any confirmed cases to date.”
The NPA also called on NCDC to “kindly avail us with specific details on the name of the Vessel the passengers were on board, and the Terminal or Jetty where they berthed.”
Hello @NCDCgov. In respect to the 6 new cases that “were detected on a vessel” in Lagos, the Authority in collaboration with Port Health has not recorded any confirmed cases to date. https://t.co/Egi6pdrWeK
@NCDCgov To enable verification and proper record keeping, kindly avail us with specific details on the name of the Vessel the passengers were on board, and the Terminal or Jetty where they berthed. #CovidNGR#COVID19
The House of Representatives has called on the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) to reinstate the contract of Integrated Logistic Facilities and Services, also known as Intels Nigeria Limited.
NPA had terminated its boats pilotage monitoring and supervision contract with Intels on October 10, following the company’s alleged non-compliance with government’s policy on the Treasury Single Account (TSA)
According to the Managing Director of NPA, Hadiza Usman, the decision was taken on the advice of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami.
Intels management had, however, issued a seven-day ultimatum to the agency to reverse the termination of the contract or get ready for legal actions.
But lawmakers at the lower chambers, after debating a motion at Wednesday’s plenary, resolved to investigate the circumstances around the contract termination and ascertain if due process was followed.
They further asked the NPA and the Attorney General of the Federation to reinstate the company’s contract, pending when the investigation was concluded.
The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) says it will soon embark on a nationwide safety campaign to eradicate unwanted vessels on the nation’s waterways as well as met out sanctions to those who go against safety regulations.
The NPA also decried the rising rate of deaths which it says is a result of stealing petroleum products.
The Executive Director, Marine and Operations, at the headquarters of the NPA Dr Sokonte Davies said this at the Calabar Ports where he went with a delegation to ascertain the level of damage done during last Sunday’s fire disaster.
Inspecting some of the damaged facilities, the Director expressed sadness over the fact that such incidents which are avoidable were a result of suspected illegalities going on in the area and negligence on the part of some residents.
Davies stated that “investigations into the root cause are ongoing and appropriate sanctions will be meted. I commend the efforts of staff of NPA to have risen to the challenge in collaboration with other agencies by deploying their facilities both at land and sea to put the situation under Control,” he added.
Drawing attention to safety regulations across board, he told journalists that a nationwide campaign will commence soon on educating the masses on safety regulations both on sea and on land.
He, however, called on parents, religious and traditional rulers as well as concerned citizens to help educate as many people as they can on the need to stop the act.
The delegation subsequently observed a minute silence for the deceased.
Maritime workers have taken to the streets of Lagos to protest the move by the National Assembly to repeal the Nigerian Ports Authority Act.
In a Bill which originates from the Assembly, the lawmakers are seeking to repeal the NPA Act 2004 and establish the Nigerian Ports and Harbours Authority.
The Bill according to the lawmakers, is aimed at providing for the ownership, management and development of ports and harbours and for related matters.
The workers, however, say the Bill if passed will lead to loss of jobs in the sector, as the reform targets concessioning of the operations of ports and harbours in the country.
The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has donated some food as well as material items to the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Borno state, northeast Nigeria. Some of the items apart from food included sleeping mats, bed nets, household equipment and clothing, among others.
This is coming as the government and humanitarian partners have been interfacing to meet the growing needs of the affected population.
The Managing Director of the NPA, Hadiza Bala Usman, who led the team, noted that she has also been on the forefront of the call for government to secure the release of the abducted Chibok school girls.
According to her, the donations of the NPA are part of its corporate social responsibility in commemoration of the third year of the girls’ abduction.
The government, who described the contribution as the largest from an agency, noted that it would go a long way in meeting the never ending needs of the IDPs.
The State Governor, Kashim Shettima, praised the goodwill of the NPA and it’s management, urging other agencies to take a cue from the gesture.
He also revealed that as the government gradually wins the war against insurgents, it intends to officially close all Internally Displaced Persons camps in Maiduguri by May 2017.
The Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, has ordered all contractors handling road projects across the state to utilize the dry season to speed up their work.
He gave the order while inspecting road projects across the state, while also commending the quality of work done so far.
He, however, pointed out areas that needed amendments.
The governor was accompanied by some members of the State Executive Council and top government functionaries.
He also expressed his pleasure over the warm welcome he had received on arriving at the Warri area.
“I feel happy, it is spontaneous and I feel happy that the projects are directly impacting on the lives of the people.”
Furthermore, the governor reiterated his commitment in delivering his electoral promises, adding that his administration would do everything possible within its powers to ensure the delivery of quality projects that could stand the test of time.
“We are trying to utilize the dry season for road construction.
“We believe that our projects must stand the test of time, and we are using concrete on most of our roads in Warri axis and they are more than nine inches in thickness because, the roads must stand the test of time”, he said.
The governor also stressed that while the focus for now was on road construction, other sectors of the economy, especially education would also get the deserved attention during the rainy season.
Managing Director of the Nigeria Ports Authority, Hadiza Usman, has hinted that the agency’s priority along with the federal government is to improve its operational efficiency.
The NPA MD, revealed this on Channels Television’s breakfast programme Sunrise Daily, where she also explained that the government is working towards improving Nigeria’s business environment.
It has been 10 years since the ports went into a concession agreement and this according to Usman has indeed been successful.
However, she stressed a need to review the agreement in order to improve the ease of doing business in Nigeria.
“We are ten years into the concession agreement with the terminal operators and we believe that there’s a need to review the concession agreement.
She explained that there is a stipulated timeline for the review which should be every two years but for some reason that has not been done.
Usman however believes it is now a very appropriate time to do the review. “We have started the procedure of reviewing the respective agreements that we have across our terminals.
“The terminal operators themselves are keen to have a review because there are areas that we need to look at, 10 years post concession.
Highlighting some issues regarding the Nigerian ports, such as competitiveness and pricing, Usman stated that “the NPA is looking at the respective tariffs across the West African coast and in Africa indeed, to see how competitive our ports are”.
According to her, ports in western and central Africa are not keen to having their tariffs made public.
“I think these are some of the things we need to do as agencies of government, we need to enshrine transparency and we have started by putting our tariffs on our website.
“This is the first time the Nigerian Ports Authority is putting all our respective tariffs for the Nigerian public to see.
“We are also going to the next step of publishing them in the newspapers so that you are aware of anything the Nigerian Ports Authority is charging.
“It is important to have that transparency,” she stressed.
“The second leg to our challenge has to do with our operational competitiveness, how efficient are our ports.
“How easy is it for an entity to come into our ports, clear your goods and get out of the ports within a timely manner? Usman questioned.
However as a solution to this, she reiterated that “there are agencies of government that interface with us and we are working with them to ensure that we improve on these operational efficiencies”.
Furthermore, she revealed that one of the things that the agency is putting in place is “the national single windows project, and NPS is working on a ports community system whereby all our operations are domiciled in one single platform.
“We are working to do an interface with the Nigerian customs service and every other agency that operates in the ports, whereby you can have ease of operations.”
The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) says it will soon embark on a nationwide safety campaign to eradicate unwanted vessels on the nation’s waterways as well as met out sanctions to those who go against safety regulations.
Maritime workers have taken to the streets of Lagos to protest the move by the National Assembly to repeal the Nigerian Ports Authority Act.
The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has donated some food as well as material items to the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Borno state, northeast Nigeria.
Managing Director of the Nigeria Ports Authority, Hadiza Usman, has hinted that the agency’s priority along with the federal government is to improve its operational efficiency.