FEATURE
Operations of the Nigerian Ports are already experiencing improvement, in view of the positive measures being put in place by Dr Dantsoho , despite that he became the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, less than three months ago, says SHOLA FADEYI, in this write up.
Undoubtedly, there are already strong indications that President Bola Tinubu’s decision at appointing Dr Abubakar Dantsoho , as the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), recently, will definitely make the Nigerian Ports to contribute more positively to the development of the nation’s economy.
This is because of the robust measures , being taken by his management to improve the performance of the Seaports , within the short period of time , he became the NPA’s helmsman.
Expertise
Being that Dantsoho’s appointment is a round peg in a round hole, for the fact that he is well read in maritime and transport affairs , an expert in the field , who is also well experienced, having spent close to 30 years at the NPA , rising through the ranks,there are indications , that his policy direction would make Nigerian Seaports, a hub for Ports in West and Central Africa.
For the benefit of hindsight, Dr Dantsoho parades a Doctorate degree in Maritime Technology from Liverpool John Moores University, UK, a Master’s degree in International Transport from Cardiff University of Wales, UK, while he was Principal Manager, Tariff & Billing, NPA ; Port Manager, Onne Port , an Assistant General Manager; Technical Assistant to a former MD , before his current position.
Experience
Also, due to his vast working experience in NPA, some of which have been in a managerial cadre, little wonder that less than one week of his being appointed in July , 2024 , he had begun to make impact, as he has visited Tin Can Island Port, the second largest but busiest Port in Nigeria , to assess the state of its poor facilities, just as he is preparing to do with the other Ports.
Mandates
Having mastered the challenges of the Ports, as an insider, he has thus begun to tackle them , with a view to enabling his management to add value , particularly as it relates to the mandates given him by the Federal Government , which essentially is to boost the efficiency of the nation’s seaports and enhance the level of its revenue generation.
Welfare
But knowing full well, that the personnel are the engine room that will continue to drive the growth of the NPA, and also acknowledging the role which constant capacity building plays in increasing the outputs of the workers , he has thus first placed special attention to the welfare and training of the workforce, to achieve the desired efficiency at the Ports.
Transparency/ Anti- Corruption
Also, considering the importance of transparency in the discharge of the affairs of any organization for purpose of the improvement in the performance of NPA ,the Dr Dantsoho – led management has also placed a lot of emphasis on the issue of transparency in carrying out activities of the company , even as he has declared a zero tolerance on corruption .
Transformation
Thus, it is with the view to achieving the proposed transformation of the seaports , that he has put together a Blueprint that will ensure a comprehensive rehabilitation of the dilapidated infrastructure at the nation’s seaports, the full digitalization of their processes and operations that will see to the implementation of the Port Community System(PCS) ,then the Single Window Project among others.
Infrastructure
The new MD is embracing infrastructural development in his expert belief, that it is only when the ports infrastructure are in an excellent state, that they can offer efficient services ,attract additional ships and shippers’ patronage and thus be able to increase revenue from the ports.
In fact for Dr Dantsoho, the need for the total upgrade of the facilities of most of the seaports and the automation of their processes and operations , became more Germaine , when it is realized that almost all their infrastructure , such as the Quay Apron have been overdue for reconstruction, because they have existed for over 70 years , beyond the about 45- 50 years lifespan of such facilities.
In the list of the Ports ,which the new MD is looking at and which most of the Quays have decayed and requires reconstruction , include the Lagos Seaports, of Apapa and Tin Can , Port Harcourt and Calabar Ports , while some of the facilities of the Onne Ports the Warri Port Jetties,rehabilitation of the Escravos breakwaters, as well as the upgrade of the digitalization of the processes and operations of the seaports.
Modernization
Thus, it is in his quest to achieve the type of seaports , which infrastructure will be standard and modern and which operations would be highly information technology (ICT) driven , that the Dr Dantsoho is out to begin the rehabilitation and digitalization process with the $1.2 billion loan that has been secured by the Marine and Blue Economy Ministry for the projects.
Digitalization
In the area digitalization, the Dr Dantsoho has begun to follow up on the studies that have been done by the consultant used by the IMO, which the NPA entered into an agreement with , for the Port Community System(PCS) scheme on what the agencies at the nations ports have in place, in terms of IT deployment and automation, while the next phase would be the analysis of what is needed, to be able to deploy the PCS.
The PCS , will serve as a One –Stop- Shop for all the stakeholders in the Port System and eventually heralded the deployment of the much trumpeted National Single Window.
Revenue
Consequently, to raise the revenue generated by the NPA and the remittances of the immediate past management of the Authority to the Federation Account , the Dantsoho- led new management has been plugging loopholes in revenue generation and adopting measures to collecting debts owed the NPA by the concessionaires among others , even as it works on other areas that will lead to increase in revenue for the company.
Implementation of ICTN
Additionally, he has forged a collaboration with the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) to facilitate the implementation and the introduction into the Nigerian Ports of the International Cargo Tracking Note (ICTN) to enable the NPA and the Federal Government benefit from the scheme’s capacity to increase revenue generated at the Ports, as well boost security
Export Promotion
Also, mindful of the economic diversification agenda of the Federal Government,through the promotion of non-oil exports, the management has also continued to work closely with the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) and the Nigerian Shippers’ Council(NSC) , for the efficient operations of the various third party dedicated export terminals, or export parks in the country.
Review/ Renew of Concession Agreement
As expected by stakeholders, the NPA management would also soon review and renew the concession agreement of those terminal operators , which concessions have expired to enable the concessionaires proceed fully with their developmental projects and operations , once the Minister of Marine and Blue economy gives its approval. This will enable them pay their royalties and other charges to NPA and thus assist the management in boosting the company’s revenue.
Review of Barge Operations
It is likewise expected that the new MD , would also be looking at the review of the modalities of operating barges by the operators with a view to sanitizing the entire operation , in such a way that it would be beneficial to the movements of goods at the ports and fetch more revenue for the NPA.
Thus relying on his capability, and experience, the new MD, as the days go by , would likewise be looking into the issue of reduction in the number of multiplicity of security and other government agencies , operating at the seaports , with a view to reducing their number as required by the law , and thus cutting the cost of doing business at the seaport and facilitating trade.
Decongestion of Access Roads
As part of measures to enhance clearing of cargoes at the seaports, the Managing Director has also lent his support to the relevant Agency and Committees charged with the responsibility of decongesting the access roads leading to the seaports , with a view to ensuring that the ports corridors are free of any form of congestion.
Conclusion
With the various measures which Dr Dantsoho will still be adopting , it is indisputable that the nation’s seaports would soon experience a new lease of life , even as the Federal Government is warming up to benefit from an increased revenue from them.
