Former Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Chief Adebayo Sarumi, who presided over the port reform programme between 2003 and 2006, has commended the current management of the authority under Mohammed Bello-Koko, saying it has surpassed the vision and expectations on the reform agenda of the nation’s seaports.
Speaking at the inspection of the country’s Mission to Seafarers (MTS) facility located on Marine Road Apapa, Lagos, Sarumi said the current management has been getting it right in terms of the roles and responsibilities of a port landlord under the present scheme of things in Nigeria’s port industry.
He also said the management under Bello-Koko’s watch has surpassed the expectations and vision of those who initiated the ports reform programme on what a modern port system should be about. While expressing delight at the good work being done by the management, he urged them to remain consistently focused on delivering a globally competitive port system for Nigeria.
He said: “The management of NPA under Bello-Koko has done well. I am in a position to say this because I have also been Managing Director of the NPA. My verdict is that his management is getting it right. In those days when I happened to be the midwife that delivered the port reform and we were looking for those who will deliver the gains of the port reforms, we never thought of people like him.
“But today, he has even surpassed our vision of what a modern seaport should be; a seaport that is well connected and globally competitive and people would be happy using such ports. The management under Bello-Koko is doing it and the world can see it, so we commend them and encourage them to do even more.”
Speaking on the inspection of the dilapidated facility, Sarumi, who doubles as chairman of the MTS, noted that it has become historical for the NPA to shoulder several general industry responsibilities, hence the decision of the MTS board to reach out to the management of the authority for assistance towards renovating the facility built during the colonial era.
He noted that apart from boosting Nigeria’s image globally, bringing the facility to speed with global standards would further enhance the country’s rating as a maritime nation, especially as Nigeria plans to contest elective position into the Category C of the Council of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), an organ of the United Nations.
Speaking further, Sarumi said: “We appreciate the NPA for coming in to render its support, we understand the burden it is grappling with and we know it’s a lot. NPA has always been in the vanguard of everything. A port community should be one that shares virtually everything, but it is now becoming only NPA carrying everything and we are grateful to the Managing Director for not changing in that trajectory.
“Soon, this place would transform into one of the most welcoming arenas for the seafarers visiting. They would have an opportunity to get in touch with their families by the time we set up the communication gadgets that would allow them speak directly to their families back home.
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“Remember that NPA is not their employers, but we are only giving them a sense of belonging and being human. We have been groping for assistance for so long, but I have faith that someone would eventually come and assist us one day and Bello-Koko has just accepted to do that and we are grateful to him.”
While speaking on the benefits of Nigeria having a befitting Seafarers Centre, he said that this would further lead to removal of the War Risk Insurance Premiums usually placed on seafarers calling at Nigerian ports.
“When they are coming to places like Nigeria, some of the seafarers usually take War Risk Insurance Premiums, as if they are going to the warfront, but with this, there would not be such things again and at the level of IMO, we would go with our head high, that we are one of the most welcoming ports in the world. And when we say we want a position in the Council, they will only agree that Nigeria is indeed a maritime nation,” he said.
He expressed the hope that soon, the place would transform into one of the most welcoming arenas for the seafarers visiting, adding that they would also have the opportunity to get in touch with their families, by the time we set up the communication gadgets that would allow them speak directly to their family members back at home.
While speaking on the benefits of Nigeria having a befitting Seafarers Centre, he said this would further lead to removal of the War Risk Insurance Premiums usually placed on seafarers calling at Nigerian ports, stressing: “The Bello-Koko management is getting it right and he is interpreting our dreams of what a modern port should look like.”
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