World Bank To Assist NPA In Capacity Building

As NPA MD Seeks Maritime Lawyers’ expertise towards quick passage of Port and Harbour Bill

The World Bank has indicated a genuine interest to assist the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) in the area of capacity building, particularly on technical matters, in a bid to see the authority compete, more efficiently, continentally.

A World Bank delegation, led by Mr. Emmanuel Henrigoes who indicated this during its visit to the NPA Managing Director, Habib Abdullahi however stressed the need for the Authority to significantly improved first on its information, and communication technology, as well as the quality of infrastructural facility.

L-R Executive Director ,Marine and Operations NPA Engr.David Omonibeke ,Managing Director ,Nigerian Ports Authority ,Habib Abdullahi ,World Bank Leader Mr Emmanuel Henrigoes and the Nigeria,s Ambassador of the World Trade Organisation in Geneva ,Swizerland ,Ambassador David Adejuwon at the Visit of the World Bank team to NPA Corporate Headquarters Marina. — L-R Executive Director ,Marine and Operations NPA Engr. David Omonibeke, Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority ,Habib Abdullahi ,World Bank Leader Mr Emmanuel Henrigoes and the Nigeria’s Ambassador of the World Trade Organisation in Geneva ,Swizerland ,Ambassador David Adejuwon at the Visit of the World Bank team to NPA Corporate Headquarters Marina.

The delegation which included Mr. Robert Struthers, Mr. Azarema Abdukadir, an Assistant Comptroller General of Customs, Mikiko Ollison of World Bank Abuja Office and representatives of the Federal Ministry of Trade and Investment visited Habib on Monday as part of the support mission to Nigeria, towards a more realistic implementation of the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) .

The team conducted earlier, a sight-seeing of operational activities of available facilities at the Lagos Ports Complex (LPC) and the Tin Can Island Port (TCIP), with a view to identifying the gap-areas for World Bank intervention.

A chieftain of the delegation and Nigeria’s Ambassador to the World Trade Organisation in Geneva, Swizerland, Ambassasdor David Adejuwon, said the team was in Nigeria in company of World Bank officials essentially to visit border agencies and solicit for inter border cooperation, harmonisation and mutual understanding among all stakeholders.

Ambassador Adejuwon stated that the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) is aimed at expediting action on clearance and release of cargo at all entry points so as to reduce the cost of business transactions, highlighting that the World Bank is indeed prepared to assist Nigeria in the area of capacity building.

Welcoming his distinguished guests, the Managing Director, Malam Habib Abdullahi enumerated critical areas which needed to be addressed in order to accelerate the clearance of goods under the implementation of the Trade Facilitation Agreement.

Specifically, Habib affirmed the inadequate provision of Information Technology/ support on intermodalism as well as requisite training for desired capacity building.

He also highlighted the cumbersome procedures and obsolete legal framework as salient factors militating against efficient and effective clearance of goods, and expressed the belief that so much could be achieved, if the World Bank could intervene on such critical areas, as these no doubt, would greatly assist in clearance of goods in the nation’s seaports; thereby ensuring that the ports could favourably compete with other ports of the world.

Malam Habib stressed the need for provision of Information Technology and support for intermodalism, dwelling on an enhanced rail transport system, so as to guarantee the success of desired innovations being introduced within that the system.

Mr. Abdullahi who was obviously happy with the visit also reiterated the need for all the agencies involved with the clearance of goods and trade facilitation to create a synergy through a single window network.

In another development, the Executive Committee of the Nigerian Maritime Law Association (NMLA) also on Monday paid a courtesy call on the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, Mr. Habib Abdullahi, where the two parties agreed to collaborate, in the overall interest of the industry.

The Managing Director especially noted that the NMLA’s expertise would be particularly needed to assist in passage of the Ports and Harbours Bill, in addition to ensuring, clarity of responsibilities and working harmony between the NPA and sister agencies within the maritime industry.

The NMLA Executive, which included Mr. Louis Mbanefo (SAN), Mrs. Funke Agbor, Mrs. Oritsematosan Edodo-Emoren and Mr. Emeka Akabogu was received by Mr. Abdullahi and his management team, which included the Executive Director Marine and Operations Mr. David Omonibeke and the General Manager Legal, Mrs. Eniola Williams.

In his remarks, the President of the Nigerian Maritime Law Association Mr. Louis Mbanefo, SAN observed that the visit was historic, being the first time the association would be formally visiting a serving Managing Director of the NPA.

Replying, Abdullahi noted that in view of the leading role of the Nigerian Ports Authority amongst the maritime agencies, there is need for more concrete synergy with the association and promised the authority’s continued support to the association and requested to be briefed on what other agencies have been doing with the association, to ensure the NPA does the same in strengthening the relationship.