NPA assures stakeholders on service delivery next year

The Managing Director of   Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) Hadiza Bala Usman has assured  stakeholders  in  the  maritime  sector  of management’s renewed vigour and determination at improving on its   operational   efficiency and   accomplishments   recorded especially in the new year.
Bala Usman in statement made available to TheNiche newspapers by Mr. Adams Jatto, General Manager, Corporate and Strategic Communications, on Friday, called on terminal operators and port users that it would further open its doors for all players to surmount various bottlenecks with a view to providing a healthy and smooth environment for all Stakeholder’s.
Furthermore, she assured port users of management’s renewed  efforts towards the swift evacuation of cargoes from the Nigerian ports  to the   hinterlands   and   other   land  locked   neighbours.
She recalled that with the Ease Of Doing Business introduced by the Federal Government, management “wishes to inform all that it has partnered with notable organizations and the Federal Ministry of works,  Power and   Housing at   the reconstruction   of  dilapidated roads within the ports axis for efficient  services across board.”
“Management has also assured all that it would sustain and step up in the culture of efficiency and transparency”
The statement reiterated  that it   has   put   in   place   structures   to   drive   this   dream   through   the launch of the Revenue Income Management System (RIMS), which is   a   web   based   billing   and   revenue   collection   application   fully automated for the entire billing circle of the NPA amongst others.
“The   Authority   wishes   to   inform   all,   of   its   desire   at   improved collaboration   with   sister   agencies   towards   a   more   seamless operation in the Ports environments with intent to reduce human contact.
” In this regard, it is partnering with the Nigerian Custom Service   (NCS)   for   the   quick   facilitation   of   the   Single   Window platform   aimed   at   simplifying   and   harmonizing   formalities,procedures and the related exchange of information which will be a major priority in the coming year.
Management further assures all willing investors of its renewed determination at attracting investments to the Ports across the country through infrastructural development.
It further added that “Management wishes to stress that there has been constant dredging of the Channels to attain the expected draught level for incoming vessels at our ports.
“This   is   expected   to   lead   an   unprecedented   revenue generation and with the expectation that this e*ort would further be surpassed in the new year.
“Management assures all of its unflinching support in building on the successes of the Sector towards the growth and Development of  the  nation   especially   in   the area  of  Gross   Domestic Product(GDP) and economic rebound in the near future.
It stated that cargo owners are advised to take advantage of the recent   regime   of   incentives   including   the   downward   review   of charges   to   ameliorate   their   financial   burden,   these   include   a regime of three free days to twenty one free days, for the next four months.
According to it”The demurrage free period on the return of the empty  containers   has been increased   from  the  current   5days period to fifteen  days as well