Making Eastern Port Operations Work My Top Priority — NPA MD

The new Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, Mohammed Bello Koko, has vowed to ensure the optimum utilization of the Eastern Ports.

Koko, who took to his Twitter handle said last week, “As we move to complete the @LekkiPort, we are open to investments to develop other strategic deep seaports in the country.

“We will however, not relent on our core mandate — trade facilitation; easing gridlock in the ports corridors, and encouraging the full utilization of the Eastern Ports.”

Koko assured that decaying ports infrastructure as well as “improving marine services, cutting down expenditures, improving revenue, and pursuing aggressively, recovery of debts” would attract top priority.

“Our vision is to have a fully automated port system that will fit into the global port standards.

“I’m not unaware of the enormity of the task reposed on me. I will, therefore, carry it out with utmost diligence and put the national interest ahead and above anything else.”

NPA’s new heard thanked the President, Muhammadu Buhari and the Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi for his elevation.

“Firstly, I’d want to thank Almighty Allah”, Koko remarked, “then express my profound gratitude to His Excellency, President @MBuhari for this incredible opportunity to serve the nation as the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority.

“A special appreciation to the Honorable Minister of Transportation, Rt. Hon. @ChibuikeAmaechi, whose recommendation played a significant role in my confirmation.”

He, however, assured that with his “experience as the Executive Director F&A and later Acting Managing Director” he would “continue to work with all stakeholders to create an institution that is responsive to the expectations of the government, maritime industry, and the general public.”