By Aaron Ossai
Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Ports and Harbours, Hon. Nnolim Nnaji has reiterated the Committee’s commitment to ensure the sector remains one of the best through appropriate legislation and oversight.
Speaking during an interactive session with Terminal Operators and the Nigerian Ports Authority licensed agents yesterday, Hon. Nnaji said the plan of the Committee to bequeath to Nigerians, “a Ports and Harbours that is properly regulated and better managed for greater efficiency.”
He said it’s important to harmoniously promote the objective of professionalizing the modus operandi of this sector to improve Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product and revenue generation.
“We intend to collaborate with relevant Stakeholders in the industry to ensure that appropriate avenues are created for its economic development and then make it a hub for better non-oil revenue generation.
“It is imperative to note that the House of Representatives will continue to support total rehabilitation and upgrading of our Ports and Harbours and allied services. We shall ever be ready to provide the necessary legislation and needed oversight to achieve this purpose.
“I enjoin you to bring your exclusive viewpoints and experiences on board as they will be invaluable in shaping our policies and recommendations”, he told the stakeholders.
Speaking further, the Chairman explained that the crux of the meeting was to provide the interface for members of the Committee to interact with Stakeholders in the industry, most especially Terminal Operators and NPA Licensed Agents regarding their operations and various activities in the Ports and also create the enabling environment and synergy towards achieving the goals of the Federal Government in the Maritime sector, as well as aligning the sector with its contemporary demands, developmental goals, international standards and best practices.
“It is pertinent to note that the Committee’s role is not only to oversight the NPA, but also to partner with stakeholders in the sector to achieve maximum success taking cognizance of government’s quest on increasing revenue generation, port decongestion and boosting infrastructural development for effective service delivery, thus, we must be committed to transparency, collaboration and open dialogue with all stakeholders to enhance ease of doing business.
“This Committee’s interactive session is very crucial because of the invaluable roles the sector plays in our economy and our national life. It therefore presents us with an urgent need to effect changes that will restructure this unique and high-tech sector and position it to strategically compete in the global space.
“This sector is very dynamic and we must constantly review the standards, facilities and operational guidelines to keep pace with its obtainable global best practices”, he added.
