The Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Hadiza Bala Usman has assured the Business Community in Nigeria, especially the Maritime sub-Sector that Authority has put in place appropriate measures that would enable it facilitate business activities at the nation’s Seaports.
Hadiza Bala Usman gave this assurance while delivering a key note address at a one day sensitization Workshop put together by the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) and NPA held at the Eko Hotels and Suites, Lagos.
According to her; “It will interest you to know that even before the Executive Orders were signed into Law by the Federal Government, the Authority had put in place measures aimed at attracting investments into the Maritime Sub Sector of the Nation’s Economy”.
The Managing Director who was represented by the General Manager, Servicom Division of the Authority, Mrs. Carol Ufere further added that the Authority is collaborating with the Nigeria Customs Service for effective operations through the Single Window platform for the Clearance of Cargoes at the Ports. This, according to her, will ensure that all Agencies connected with Import and Export processes are in a single office in order to reduce clearance time.
Other measures prioritized to sustain the drive of ease of doing business the Managing Director stated, include introduction of Revenue Invoicing Monitoring System series, Electronic Ship Entry Notice, Maintenance of Access Roads, Improvement of Security at the Ports, Acquisition and Commissioning of Tug Boats, the Command and Control and other electronic devices meant to stimulate efficient Customer service.
In her goodwill message. The Special Assistant to the President on Industry, Trade and Investment and PEBEC Secretary, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole commended the efforts of the Management of the NPA at their support to the Council.
Dr. Oduwole remarked further that the NPA has the best interest of Nigerian Business community at heart, noting that PEBEC is fully committed to the improvement of Business climate in Nigeria.
While thanking Stakeholders for partnering PEBEC on the Workshop, she enjoined them not to circumvent the system and also give appropriate feedback on how best to evolve the best business climate for the country.
The event featured reports on updates on the implementation of the Executive Orders on Ease of Doing Business in Nigeria by representatives of National Agency For Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON) amongst others.
ABDULLAHI .A. GOJE
GENERAL MANAGER, (CORPORATE & STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS
