Mr. Omar Suleiman, managing director,Nigeria Ports Authority(NPA), has emphasized the important role the NPA is playing in the development process of the nation, saying that any economic policy in the Country which does not take appropriate congnisance of its vital role is incomplete.
Suleiman was speaking in Lagos yesterday at a send forth and reception programme in honour of the former and present Chairmen of the Board of the Bonny Channel Company (BCC), Malam Abdul Salam Mohammed and himself respectively.
The Managing Director asserted that the country may not be able to achieve rapid infrastructural development and the desired Gross Domestic Product (GDP) unless the NPA is given more roles in the development strides of the nation.
He regretted that in the past, the functions of the Authority in facilitation of trade and movement of goods across the country were threatened because of the seeming neglect of the authority.  He enthused that the Ports are strategic to the success of the transformation agenda of government to which his management is wholly and irrevocably committed in ensuring the realization of the dream of Mr. President.
He therefore advocated that government’s future economic and infrastructural policies should encourage the development of the nation’s seaports, considering their roles as the gateway to the nation’s economy.
He said that with the present concession regime, the NPA has appreciated the enormous tasks confronting it in order to cope with the challenges of its new role and the expectations of the stakeholders, the port users and the general public. Suleiman reiterated that the Authority was currently involved in encouraging Deep Sea Ports development in strategic parts of the country, considering the tremendous potentials such projects would have to the nation’s economy, adding that the Organisation was determined to make a success in the projects when they come on stream.
In his response, the former chairman of BCC who was also the former managing director of NPA Malam Abdul Salam Mohammed argued that there has been steady and consistent growth in the maritime industry especially with the remarkable improvement in vessel turnaround time and container dwell time.
The achievement in the nation’s maritime industry he added can only be compared to what has happened in the telecommunication industry and should be celebrated by the stakeholders.
Affirming the importance of a dredged channel, the former Managing Director of NPA said a port is as good as its channel adding that only a good port will attract business to the nation and praised the foresight of the former NPA Managing Director, Chief Adebayo Sarumi for establishing the two dredging companies.
Abdul Salam thanked BCC for organizing the reception which he said has reminded him that he is still a member of the NPA family and would always be ready to offer advice where necessary and prayed for the success of the incumbent leadership of the Authority.
Earlier in his opening address, the chairman of the occasion and also the chairman of Shipping Association of Nigeria (SDAN) Mr. Val. Usifo thanked the BCC for hosting and celebrating the former NPA Chief Executive.
Amongst the guests who graced the event are former Managing Director, NPA Adebayo Sarumi, Pastor Felix Ovbude, Mr. Steven Poppe, MD BCC, Secretary Board/Legal Adviser to NPA Mrs. Oby Anubi, General Manager, Public Affairs,Mr. Michael Ajayi and a cross section of NPA and BCC Managements.