Usman Urges Prompt Reconstruction Of Apapa Ports Access Roads
The Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Hadiza Bala Usman has reiterated that the Organization under her leadership would with immediate effect fast track the swift reconstruction of the access roads leading to the Ports within the Western Ports axis of the Organization with a view to having a smooth movement of cargoes in and out of the Ports to the hinterland thereby enthroning a most efficient and greater operational activities across the nation’s Seaports.
This she said would boost the revenue base of the Federal Government, the NPA and most importantly conform in line with international best practices with a view to making the NPA a hub in the Maritime sub-sector.
Hadiza made this statements during a tour of the Port access roads within the Lagos pilotage district accompanied by the top Management of the Organization.
She further informed Stakeholders during the event that NPA Management is at the verge of getting approval from the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing, the parent Ministry towards the funding of the project concerning the Wharf Road, Creek Road, Tin Can Island Access Road, Cocoanut, Roads leading to Mile 2 and the Oshodi/Oworonshoki Expressway to the tune of N4.3 billion through a synergy and partnership with Messrs Dangote Group who would collaborate with NPA Management to the tune of N2.5 billion as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) while the NPA would provide the remaining sum of N1.8 billion.
According to her, “we are re-engineering the roads for business to thrive, we just need to get it done. This is critical to us”. In the main time, the MD said immediate palliatives would be carried out on the roads whilst the main project of reconstructing the roads would follow accordingly. The NPA helmsperson said the construction would cover a length of 12 metres with full utilities in the area of drainage for a life span of 30 years pointing out that the construction would last for 10 months. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) would be signed by all parties within a forth night for construction to commence thereafter, she added.
In addition, Hadiza Usman reaffirmed the Management’s immediate plans of having a holding bay to aidefficient service delivery at Western Ports as would be prioritized through the window of the principles and tenant of Public Private Partnership (PPP). This she said would be facilitated the call-up system where trucks that comply with laid down rules and regulations are made to do business within the Port.
Furthermore, she informed Stakeholders that the issues were already before the Presidential Group on the ease of doing business within the nation headed by the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo (SAN) in efforts to utilize all holistic approaches in order that we get this over with, she added.
She appreciated the efforts and contributions of Stakeholders at ensuring that the NPA Management delivers on its mandate of making sure it transformed the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) into a “model agency” – a desire it had pursued most vigorously since inception.
On the Management team of the NPA were the Executive Director Engineering and Technical Services, Prof. Idris Abubakar, the General Managers Health, Safety and Environment, Engr. Ahmed Yusuf, Western Ports, Arch. Abiodun Gbadamosi, Capital Project, Engr. Peter Obinomen as well as the House of Representative for Apapa Federal Constituency and Member House Committee on Ports and Harbours, Ayodeji Joseph. Stakeholders also were on hand to appreciate the activity to unfold.