FG increases salary of NPA workers
…As 387 staff receive long service awards
By Seun Ibiyemi
The Federal Government has approved a salary increase for the staff members of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).
The Minister of Transportation, Mu’azu Sambo, said this over the weekend at the long service award organised by the management of the NPA. This is even as the NPA on Saturday awarded 387 staff with long service awards.
Sambo commended the management of the agency for their commitment to staff welfare.
The Minister also commended the Managing- Director, NPA, Mohammad Bello-Koko, for what he described as his unprecedented performance in revenue generation and remittance.
He said, “In my median visit to the NPA upon resumption of office, as Minister of Transportation I was commending the NPA MD, for his unprecedented performance in revenue generation and remittance, he has solicited my backing and support to fast track the processes and procedures for the implementation of salary increase which I immediately acceded to and today I am delighted that it has been achieved.”
Sambo however congratulated the awardees and the entire staff of NPA for their commitment.
“Let me also tell you that the ministry under my watch will continue to provide everything possible for the welfare of the staff of the ministry,” he added.
Earlier, the MD, NPA, Bello-Koko, thanked the Federal Government for their support towards the ensuring increment of staff salaries, saying, “we will like to use this opportunity to appreciate everyone here for their support towards the delivery of salary Increment for our dedicated staff.”
Bello-Koko said equipping the human capital resource to be the best has been one of the overriding objectives of the management.
He added that the agency would make good move in this noble cause.
“Our drive towards ensuring 100 per cent occupational health and safety for our staff which has resulted in the ISO certification of Calabar and Onne ports, and we are not relenting on it,” Bello-Koko said.
Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr Boss Mustapha commended the management and board of NPA for the open commendation and reward of staff, and for paying high premium on the workers.
Mustapha employed the awardees not to rest on their oars but for them to do more. “The maritime sector where you operate is very crucial to Nigeria’s maximisation of the comparative advantage that maritime advantages confer.
“The testimony of the present government’s enormous achievements in the maritime sector would not have been complete without recognition of your inputs. This administration is however committed to formulation of policies that will translate to the good of our dear nation,” he stated.
Board Chairman of the NPA, Chief Akin Ricketts in his goodwill message also appreciated the entire workforce of the NPA, while assuring that “We would continue to make sure that you are consistently appreciated and awarded.”
On his part, Director General of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) noted that NPA appreciating its workforce would further increase productivity of the agency.
“I would like that appreciate the Ministry of Transportation over NPA and I wish to encourage other agencies under the ministry to find a way of appreciating their staff, there is no way you can ensure effectiveness without skilled employees, and once you have gotten those employees, you have to encourage them.”
Present also at the event were: The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, the Lagos State Governor, represented by the Lagos State commissioner of Transport, Dr Frederic Oladeinde, the Honourable Minister of Labour, Dr Chris Ngige, the Honourable Minister of State, Health, Hon. Ekumankama Joseph Nkama, Honourable Minister of State, Transportation, Prince Ademola Adegoroye among others.
The high point of the event was the presentation of awards to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari GCFR, the SGF, and the Award of Recognition for Quality Maritime Leadership to the honourable Minister of Transportation.
