NPA, Barge Operators Partner On Seamless Export Evacuation From Hinterland

In a bid to achieve connectivity for seamless evacuation of export bound cargoes to the nation’s seaports from the hinterland, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), on Monday, held a process improvement meeting with badge operators.

Recall that the deployment of barges for the evacuation of cargo from the ports to the hinterland was an interventionist initiative of the NPA.

The initiative has, however, grown into a huge direct and indirect employment generation as well as business endeavour by using the waterways to reduce pressure and congestion on the road corridor.

However, speaking during the meeting led by the president Badge Operators Association of Nigeria (BOAN), Olubunmi Olumekun, the managing director of NPA, Mohammed Bello-Koko, said the meeting focused on providing support necessary to optimise barge operations value chain.

According to Bello-Koko, the meeting also focused on the infusion of professionalism to sustainably ensure safety of lives and investment at all times.

“We are driven by the relentless commitment to achieving seamless connectivity between the Seaports and the hinterland. This is an enabling initiative for sustaining the growth of exports in the country,” the NPA helmsman stated.

“His meeting was focused on providing support necessary to optimise barge operations value chain including infusion of professionalism to sustainably ensure safety of lives and investment at all time,” he stated.

Meanwhile, the NPA boss has set a timeline for the strict implementation of the Service Level Agreement (SLA) governing truck management and satellite park operations to ensure adherence to best practices.

The NPA boss stated this when members of the executive of the Satellite Truck Park Owners Association (STPOA), paid him a visit in Lagos.

The NPA boss, discussed the priority on export cargo in response to the national exigency of boosting exports to strengthen Nigeria’s balance of trade.

“The authority is determined to sustain the increase in the number of export cargo arising from the Authority’s licensing of Export Processing Terminals (EPTs). This meeting is focused on placing the needed priority on export cargo in response to the national exigency of boosting exports to strengthen Nigeria’s balance of trade.