• Women Must Work Harder, To Enjoy Higher Recognition, Hadiza Tells WISTA

The Lagos Deep Offshore Logistics Base (LADOL) has withdrawn its case against the Federal Government, sequel to the opening-up of the hitherto monopolized cargo handling policy of the Government on April 21,

The Ladol had earlier obtained an injunction restraining the FG from implementing its policy directive of April 20, 2015 that created a monopoly in the handling of cargo in the oil and gas sector.

Ladol on Thursday in a press conference in Lagos through its lawyer, Prof. Fidelis Oditah, QC, SAN, said that the company had filed an application at the Federal High Court, Lagos seeking to withdraw its proceedings.

“As you may be aware, on April 21, 2017 the Nigerian President clarified the position of the FG on a number of ports reform initiatives, including the designation of terminals and the development of ports and other infrastructure along Nigeria’s coastal belt.

“The key policy clarification is the reaffirmation of the FG policy articulated by Presidents Obasanjo in 2006 and Yar’Adua in 2008, that all importers are free to choose any terminal or port for the discharge of their cargoes, subject to the presence of all requisite regulatory agencies at such ports, as required by existing regulations and value for money.

“Consequently and for the avoidance of doubt, the FG cancelled any policy that designates certain ports by cargo type, example, oil and gas terminal, etc,” he said, noting that the policy clarification fits into the reform initiatives of the FG’s designed Ease of doing Business meant to reposition Nigeria, open it for business and welcome all investors to do business in an open, competitive and rewarding environment.

He pointed out that the gesture would surely increase private participation and investment in building port infrastructure along the nation’s vast coastal belt, as the measures would also engender job creation and GDP growth, adding that the policy clarification would ensure diversification of port infrastructure, rather than the concentration of risks in the Niger Delta.

The withdrawal application is listed for hearing on June 6, 2017.

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) Managing Director, Hadiza Usman Bala has sought for improved collaboration amongst the womenfolk in all endeavors of life, particularly the Maritime sub sector with a view to achieving excellence and higher efficiency, needed for ongoing nation building.

The Managing Director highlighted this while welcoming the executive members of the Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association [WISTA] led by its President Mary Madu Hamman to her office at the Corporate Headquarters Marina, Lagos.

Hadiza while noting that the sector has been dominated by the men, spanning many years, maintained that the ball was now fully in the women’s  court with recent waves of women’s appointments at leadership levels  of several corporate entities, across the nation to exhibit vision, dexterity and dedicated commitment to prove that more women should further be considered for vital appointments.

She maintained that it is only by proving their mettle would more women be further brought to the front burner, and stressed the need for networking and capacity building through associations with focused capacity for development of women potentials, adding that such gesture would still be in the overall interest of the whole nation.

She assured that the NPA Management would always support such Women groups like Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association (WISTA) because they encourage issues of capacity building and networking, emphasizing that the Authority would provide sponsorship support of some of its delegates to its forthcoming Conference, to further boost and widen their International horizon in business networking.

Earlier in her opening address, Mrs Hamman stated that the Organization with branches all over the world was established in the United Kingdom about 34 years ago, but the Nigerian branch came on board, only in 1984.

She explained that Nigeria has the largest number of members in the 14 strong Africa countries, with notable ones being South Africa, Morocco, Mozambique, and Guinea Conakry. She equally posited that as part of WISTA’s commitment towards empowering the womenfolk towards self-development and reliance, the group recently purchased and distributed fishing boats and nets for women in Epe and Oron, even as plans were already at an advanced stage towards doing same for women in Agulere and beyond

She therefore solicited for NPA Management’s collaboration and support through some sponsorship of the group’s aspirations.