Harboursandport.com: Lagos -

The Management of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and the Port of Antwerp, Belgium, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) towards operational efficiency in line with the desire to deepen the mutual beneficial relationship existing between the two Ports, as well as strengthen the bilateral relations between the two Organisations.

Managing Director of NPA, Hadoza Bala Us.an

Disclosing this in statement, Wednesday, at the Corporate Headquarters of NPA, the Managing Director, NPA, Ms. Hadiza Bala Usman, said that apart from resulting in boost of efficiency through expertise, development and digitalization, the MoU would ensure simultaneous growth with new skills being acquired and new trends opened.

Usman, who was represented by Managing Director, the Executive Director, Marine and Operations, Dr Sokonte Davies, submitted that the agreement which will last for five years will also broaden technical skills and practical knowledge.

She added that the MoU 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 amongst the two Ports.

In their own reaction, the representatives from the Port of Antwerp opined that they see greater future in the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) as it makes progress in its concessioned regime hence the signing of the agreement.

Speaking on this, the President, Port Of Antwerp, Annick De Rider, 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 digitalization.

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.