Hadiza Usman, managing director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), has pledged the Authority’s full commitment to the provision of the enabling environment for business to grow in the maritime sector.
Usman stated this on Tuesday while receiving Jesper Kamp, the Danish Ambassador to Nigeria and his team, who paid her a courtesy visit in the corporate headquarters in Marina.
Represented by Sokonte Davies, executive director, Marine and Operations of the NPA, Usman called for continuous engagement on the way forward in the maritime sector.
She told the Danish ambassador that the Authority is committed to the development of Deep Seaports across Nigeria in line with the development of global economy.
“Efforts are on-going to increase the depth of the draught of Onne port to 11 meters as a way of encouraging bigger vessels. As a leader in the maritime business, the Authority will always tap from the wealth of experience of the Danish government,” Usman said.
Earlier, Jesper Kamp, Danish ambassador told the management of the NPA that the visit was part of his efforts to promote Danish-Nigerian trade relations and attract investment to Nigeria.
According to Kamp, beside facilitating investment in infrastructure to Nigeria, there have been cautious efforts towards mobilising Danish companies to come and invest in Nigeria, as exemplified by Maersk Line and other companies.
“Danish companies operate 30 commercial vessels in the Gulf of Guinea, and we are concerned about security within Nigerian maritime domain. Our government is collaborating with the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) on training of marine cadets and maritime security personnel,” he said.
Gildas Tohouo, managing director of Maersk Line, who accompanied the Danish ambassador, thanked the management of the NPA and other stakeholders for their support to Maersk Line and for efforts at increasing the depth of the channels leading to Onne port.
He also reiterated the willingness of Maersk Line to patronise Onne Port the moment the port channel is deepened by additional one meter as being proposed, stressing that the Maersk Line operation will eventually increase the revenue base of the port by $2 million.
AMAKA ANAGOR-EWUZIE
