Managing
Director, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) Hadiza Bala Usman has
advocated for the deployment of Flat Bottom Vessels (FBV) in channels
with low draught in the nation’s seaports.
According
to the Managing Director, the use of the FBV in some shallow draught
channels would serve as a workable solution for the draught
limitations in some channels especially in Calabar and Warri.
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| The Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Hadiza Bala Usman presents a plaque to the President of Maritime Arbitrators Association of Nigeria (MAAN), Adewale Jones. To his left is the Vice President of MAAN, Bodunrin Adewole, when the Executives of MAAN paid a courtesy visit to the MD at the NPA Corporate Headquarters in Marina, Lagos. |
She
recalled that it was a thing of joy that a flat bottom 200 meter long
and 61,000MT heavy vessel FBV, berthed last year in Calabar Port
despite the draft limitations of the channel. This, she explained
goes to show that such vessels can navigate in such shallow channels.
She
therefore appealed to Stakeholders in the nation’s maritime sector,
especially those in the shipping sub-sector, to devise ways of
collaborating with the Authority to see the presence of more FBV in
such channels considering their comparative advantage.
While assuring that
the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) would be very willing to midwife
and facilitate any proposal which would help make the new arrangement
possible, Hadiza Bala Usman, expressed the strong conviction that
with the cooperation of Stakeholders such as members of the Nigerian
Chamber of Shipping and other relevant stakeholders, the proposal on
the FBV is realisable.
The
Managing Director who was speaking in Lagos Thursday when she
received members of the Nigerian Chamber of Shipping, led by its
President, Mr Andy Isichei assured that the Authority would be
willing to work with the chamber for the mutual benefit of both
parties.
Earlier,
the President of the Chamber, Mr Andy Isichei had told the Managing
Director that the shallowness of some sections of the channels is of
concern to members of the Chamber and said the FBV should be
encouraged in such channels.
Meanwhile,
the NPA has reiterated that it shall continue to accord priority
attention to suggestions and recommendations from stakeholders in the
nation’s maritime sector in the overall interest of the sector.
Furthermore,
Hadiza Usman gave the assurance when she received members of the
Maritime Arbitrators Association of Nigeria (MAAN) who paid her a
courtesy call in her office in Lagos yesterday.
While
urging stakeholders to come forward with useful suggestions on
critical areas of the Authority’s operations, the Managing Director
reiterated that the Management of the Authority shall consider such
submissions on their merits, and within budgetary provisions.
Hadiza
Bala Usman called for a more elaborate effort amongst stakeholders in
the maritime sector, through collaboration on specific workable areas
and joint partnership.
She
assured members of the Maritime Arbitrators Association of Nigeria
(MAAN) of the willingness of the Authority to partner with the
Association especially in the areas of capacity building, technical
support and arbitration and expressed strong optimism that the
relationship between the two would be of mutual benefit to the
parties.
Earlier,
MAAN President, Barrister Adewale Jones had appealed for greater
collaboration between the Association and the Authority, while at the
same time commending the Management of the Organisation for its bold
step, which he described as germane to the growth and development of
the nation’s economy.
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