Eromosele Abiodun
The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has announced the appointment of seven new port managers across the country. This move is aimed at ensuring smooth operations at the ports. The newly appointed Managing Director/CEO of NPA, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, made this announcement in Lagos. Mr. Adebowale Lawal Ibrahim has been appointed as the Port Manager of Lagos Port Complex, while Mr. Abubakar Sani Isa will serve as the Port Manager of Tin Can Island Port.
Furthermore, other appointments include Mr. Abdulrahman Hussaini for Onne Port, Mr. Saadu Dahiru Mohammed for Delta Ports Warri, Mr. Ekine Ibifiri Alex for Calabar Port, and Mr. Emmanuel Anda posted as Port Manager of Lekki Port. Mrs. Kenechi Edith Okezie will continue to serve as the Port Manager of Rivers Port. These appointments are effective immediately.
The port managers’ main responsibility is to implement the NPA’s vision of providing a safe, secure, and customer-friendly environment for port operations. They are also tasked with managing day-to-day port operations, ensuring smooth ship reception and departures, and acting as a liaison between the authority and shipping communities.
Additionally, the port managers have been assigned other roles, including supervising the operations of terminal operators in accordance with the Standard Operating Procedures outlined in the Lease Agreement with the NPA. They also oversee the operations of Export Processing Terminals (EPT) to support the government’s export orientation objectives.
These managers will coordinate logistics within the port corridor and collaborate with the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to facilitate the seamless entry and exit of exports, imports, and empty containers from the ports. Furthermore, they are responsible for motivating employees to work efficiently and effectively to achieve the Ports Key Performance Indicators.
Meanwhile, Dr. Dantsoho has expressed the NPA’s commitment to expediting the automation of truck traffic at the Onne Port before the end of the current quarter. During a pre-implementation visit by the Executive Team of Callup Technology Services Limited and Forge Concepts Limited, the operators of the electronic solution, Dr. Dantsoho assured them of the NPA’s support.
He stated that the Federal Executive Council had approved the NPA’s implementation of the Electronic Call Up System at the Onne Port Complex. He emphasized the need for the operators to align their Information Technology deployments with the Port Community System (PCS) and the upcoming National Single Window (NSW). Dr. Dantsoho also highlighted the importance of sustainable use of alternative energy sources.
The Onne Port Complex, the largest oil and gas logistics base in West and Central Africa, is experiencing significant growth in vessel and cargo traffic. Dr. Dantsoho, who previously served as the Port Manager for Onne Port Complex, introduced investor-friendly initiatives that contributed to the continuous growth of the port complex.