From Tony John, Port Harcourt
The Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) has called on private investors in the maritime and ports sector to invest in Nigerian ports, promising to be accommodating.
The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the NPA, Abubakar Dantsoho, made the call during a facility tour of the Onne and Port Harcourt sea ports in Rivers State on Thursday.
The tour, which followed his visit to the Lagos ports of Apapa and TinCan earlier on 27 November 2024, highlights the current administration’s readiness to deepen Nigeria’s competitiveness in vessel and cargo traffic to match the needs of its population of over 200 million people.
The tour covered facilities belonging to Intels Nigeria Limited, Brawal Oil Services, Onne Multi-Purpose Terminal, West Africa Container Terminal (WACT), Indorama, Notore Plant, and the Port Harcourt Port premises.
Speaking during the tour, Dantsoho stated that the maritime and ports sector holds significant potential for the country, adding that the sector’s benefits can only be achieved through substantial private investment.
Dantsoho also disclosed planned investments in TinCan and Apapa Ports, adding that the initiative aims to reposition port operations.
He noted that achieving the potential of the marine economy requires private companies to invest in infrastructure, equipment, technology, and human capital.
Dantsoho stressed: “With the quantum of investments our maritime neighbours, especially along the West and Central African Coast, are attracting, we can only stay competitive if we redouble our investment drive in order to provide requisite infrastructure and equipment to attract vessels that scale up our cargo throughput to adequately serve our huge population.
“As far as this management is concerned, we have the mandate of the Honourable Minister of Marine & Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, to create the enablers for increased investment, and we are poised to do just that.
“Let me seize this moment to reiterate my earlier plea to investors to take maximum advantage of the investor-friendliness of His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, to infuse greater investment and be assured of a guaranteed return on investment.”
He further stated:
“What is required is investment from the private sector. For us to improve capacity in ports and the maritime industry, we need private sector investments in infrastructure, equipment, technology, and human capital.
“Where we are is a good example of achieving that. This place was started about five years ago. It was a greenfield. But now, you can see how activities are taking place here.
“There are vessels here that have berthed. As a matter of fact, it is a multi-purpose terminal, meaning that there is an area receiving general cargoes—fertiliser, cement, sugar—and also containerised cargoes, meaning you have ships that are container-specific. This is how to grow the maritime and port industry—by getting private sector players to invest.
“This is a good example of where this can lead us. It can take the industry to a more advanced level so that we can compete with our neighbouring countries.
“There is nothing they are doing that is out of the world. It is just investment. So, the NPA, as an institution, will continue to attract private sector investors.”
The NPA boss also promised that the authority would ensure the protection of private investments and provide a safe working environment.
He said: “We are going to be more accommodating; we are going to be more encouraging so that they can come and invest. This will help us ensure that Nigeria is truly leading West and Central Africa in this sector.
“We are calling on all stakeholders to join us in this effort so that, by the end of the day, Nigeria will claim its rightful position in the maritime and ports industry in Africa.”
Dantsoho further revealed that the federal government aims to expand the maritime sector’s capacity, emphasising the government’s commitment to the sector’s growth.
He stated:
“We have said what we require is private companies that can give us good facilities, develop human capacity, and focus on CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility).
“The focus of the government is to expand and deepen our capacity in the maritime industry. This is our God-given area. This government is committed to growing this industry.
“We are going to invest significant funds to improve TinCan and Apapa ports. This will begin soon. We will also invest in technology. It is important to have the best technology.”
Dantsoho, who was recently elected as the first Nigerian President of the Port Management Association of West and Central Africa (PMAWCA), concluded the tour by stating:
“The reality of Nigerian ports processing two million containers of cargo to serve a population of over 200 million is an anomaly that must be urgently addressed through significant investment.”