Nigerian Ports Authority has released the first consignment of exports of manganese, a solid mineral resource from the Ikorodu lighter Terminal. Speaking at the flag off, Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority Hadiza Bala Usman said that management is keen in provisional intermodalism as part of efforts to further decongest the Apapa Port axis.
Usman also said that was ready to partner with any agency that will encourage the use of waterways and rail to move cargoes around the country. She said “NPA is ready to partner with any agency or company which will give a pride of place to intermodal transport as the continuous reliance on our road is no longer feasible and should be discouraged’’.
The agency boss added that the movement of goods by water is of huge economic advantage to the country and that using barges to ferry containers of solid mineral across the waters to the APM Terminal within Apapa Ports will help to elongate the life of our roads as this mode of export will be most encouraged. She explained that the occasion is an eye opener and also serves to generate more revenue for the nation and provide employment opportunities.
She urged stakeholders to key into the window of Public Private Partnership (PPP), just as they comply with the federal government’s directives on the Ease of Doing Business at the nation’s Sea Ports whilst the rehabilitation of the Ports access roads are ongoing at Apapa.
In partnering with and encouraging private initiatives, the MD NPA added that Management would ensure the deployment of Standard Operational Procedures (SOPs) with the view to complying with international best practices.
