By Uzor Odigbo
The Management of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and the Port of Antwerp, Belgium have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on operational efficiency to deepen the mutual beneficial relationship existing between the two Ports.
The MoU which now exists between the two Port entities is also expected to strengthen the bilateral relations between the two organisations.
Speaking to stakeholders at the Corporate Headquarters of the NPA, the representative of the Managing Director, the Executive Director Marine and Operations, Dr Sokonte Huttin Davies submitted that apart from resulting in a boost in efficiency through expertise, development and digitalization, the MoU would ensure simultaneous growth with new skills being acquired and new trends opened.
The agreement which will last for five years effective Wednesday the 27th day of November, 2019 will also broaden technical skills and practical knowledge.
A statement made available to our correspondent said the Memorandum of Understanding covers vast areas which includes infrastructure, stimulation of trade growth as well as concretizing the enabling environment for the tenets of Public Private Partnership (PPP) to thrive among the two ports.
According to the team from Port of Antwerp, they see greater future in the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) as it makes progress in its concession regime.
Thus, the reason for the mutually beneficial Memorandum of Understanding.
Annick De Rider, President Port Of Antwerp, said :“West Africa takes a large share in the traffic of Port of Antwerp. It is therefore our ambition to further strengthen our position in West Africa.
“We aim to pass our know-how and experience. We hope that this mission will create new fruitful contacts, new connections and new business opportunities in order to ensure future growth for years to come”.
The Ports of Antwerp is the second largest Port in Europe that aims for flexibility, response to a rapidly evolving Maritime Market, allowing the Port to continue playing roles in cooperation, adaptability and focusing greatly on digitalisation.
In his contribution, the Chairman Board of Directors of the NPA Emmanuel Olajide Adesoye stated that the industry expectation is that the two Organisations would leverage on each other’s expertise for growth in trade, which would result in Global Economic Development for the two nations.