FGN understands the importance of ports in the nations economic development- Oyetola
Oru Leonard
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has said that the Federal Government of Nigeria understands the importance of ports as it relates to the nations economic development.
According to Henshaw Ogubike
Director, Press & Public Relations of the Ministry
Oyetola stated this at the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) Headquarters in Lagos during a meeting with the Management and Staff of the Agency, shortly after an inspection of facilities at the Lagos Port Complex.
He called for an immediate rehabilitation of the Apapa and Tin-Can ports in Lagos State, Nigeria.
He also decried the poor state of the collapsed quay sections of the ports and stressed the need for immediate commencement of infrastructural renewal of ports across the country.
On the need to decongest the ports, the Minister disclosed that he was made to understand that about 6000 containers dating back to 2011 have been abandoned at the ports.
According to him, such an act is a hindrance to better service delivery. He therefore, enjoined
NPA to synergize with the Nigeria Customs and auction such containers.
In addition, the Maritime and Blue Economy Minister stated that the current practice of physical examination of containers at the ports was an aberration and called for the deployment of scanners at all terminals.
Also speaking on the need to rehabilitate the ports access roads and movement to facilitate evacuation of freight through rail from the Apapa port, Oyetola promised to engage the Ministers of Works and Transportation to proffer solutions to these challenges.
Speaking earlier, the Managing Director, NPA, Mohammed Bello-Koko, who welcomed the Minister on his maiden visit to the Agency, expressed optimism that his appointment will herald and provide the needed support for the Agency to amongst other things, secure the needed funds and approvals for the construction and rehabilitation of ports infrastructure in the country, restore 24 hour navigation at the Eastern port as well as work out modalities for increased patronage and bottlenecks affecting the Eastern ports.
