By Barth Ndubuwah,Port Harcourt
The Minister of Transportation,Muazu Jaji Sambo has said that the Federal Government of Nigeria through his Ministry will soon review the existing agreements between NPA and the Concessionaires, with a view to getting the best out of the partnership.
The Minister stated this Friday in Port Harcourt during a maritime stakeholders’ meeting with the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), as part of his working visit to the Eastern Ports.
Mr Sambo assured the stakeholders that all the requests of NPA towards the upliftment of the ports will soon receive approval.
He equally assured that the insecurity challenge that has slowed down the Deep Blue Sea project in Bonny will be tackled frontally.
The Minister lauded the current partnership existing between NPA and stakeholders at the ports and called for its sustenance.
“The Ministry of Transportation under my watch is keen to partnering with the stakeholders in repositioning the ports. My antecedent in this sector has afforded me the knowledge in dealing with the challenges in the maritime sector and my tour of Rivers and Onne ports has given me a deeper insight of the challenges at the Eastern Ports. We shall therefore maximize the potentials of the Eastern Ports to grow the nation’s economy,” Sambo said.
He noted that his tour of Rivers and Onne ports has afforded him a deeper insight of the existing challenges at the two ports. He assured that with his antecedent and knowledge of the maritime industry, the issues will be addressed accordingly.
He commended the existing partnership between the NPA Management and the stakeholders, assuring that the requests of the NPA before his Ministry will soon get approvals.
“I assure you that you will soon heave a sigh of relief, as approvals will be given to the NPA requests. I call for more synergy between the stakeholders and NPA.”
The Ministry will soon review concession agreements between NPA and Terminal Operators(Concessionaires).
“The Ministry under my watch will ensure that national critical assets within our purview are protected and harnessed to the fullest,” the Minister said.
He commended West African Container Terminal (WACT) for establishing Export Processing Terminal at Onne Port and urged others to emulate them.
The Minister also lauded the NPA for rehabilitating the internal roads leading to Onne Port,which he said will enhance operations.
Our Correspondent who was on ground,reported that journalists were barred from the stakeholders meeting,to pave way for what the Minister called “heart-to-heart discussion with the stakeholders.”