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Tag: NPA

  • NPA pensioners in prayer session over non-payment of entitlements

    NPA pensioners in prayer session over non-payment of entitlements

    Some pensioners of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) on Friday converged at the organisation`s staff club in Lagos to offer prayers for the success of the current management led by Ms Hadiza Usman.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that the prayer session, which started around 10.00 a.m., lasted for about 50 minutes and was led by both Islamic and Christian clerics.

    The pensioners, particularly prayed for good health of the managing director and God`s guidance in her efforts to reform the organisation to its old glory.

    They also prayed that God should provide the management with all the means to be able to pay their pension arrears and entitlements as promised by the managing director.

    Speaking to newsmen shortly after the prayers, the spokesman for the `Concerned NPA Pensioners, Mr Ayo Binitie, said the prayers were due to the new-found understanding between them and the management.

    He said they had,on March 15, staged a protest at the headquarters of the organisation to demand for the payment of their 10-year pension increment arrears, but were impressed with the reception by the management.

    Binitie said the sincerity of purpose of Usman and her promise to pay the arrears informed their decision to pray for the management and work with them to succeed.

    “We staged the protest to ask for our entitlements in line with the constitution that pensions should be increased every five years; the normal arrears we have not been paid for 10 years.

    “But interestingly enough, the management conceded to our request and they promised to take the appropriate action within three weeks.

    “We believe this management, led by Usman, is showing some sincerity of purpose and that we need to support them and work with them to achieve their goals for the organisation.

    “So, this prayer session is part of that show of support and we will continue to make ourselves available to the management for advice and inputs on how to move NPA forward,” he said.

    Asked what the pensioners would do if the management failed to fulfill its promise to pay at the expiration of the three weeks, Binitie said it was not necessary to think otherwise.

    He said he had no doubt that the management would honour the “gentleman’s agreement’’ it had with them and that all pensioners were anxiously waiting for that to happen.

    Binitie commended Usman for the steps she had taken so far, saying it required a person of courage like her to clear the mess in the organisation.

    “The port industry is our farmland and is also our cattle. If we must earn well and live well, we need to protect it.

    “This is why we gathered here in the solemn assembly to pray for the leadership of this great country and the leadership of the port industry for divine protection,’’ he said.

     

  • NPA hails NCS on seizure of 661 AK 47 rifles

    NPA hails NCS on seizure of 661 AK 47 rifles

     

    The Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Ms Hadiza Usman, has commended the Comptroller-General of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Retired Col. Hameed Ali and his management team on seizure of 661 pump-action rifles.

    TheNewsGuru.com recalls that the Nigerian Customs had on January 30 intercepted a 40 ft container cleared to be containing steel doors but on close examination were loaded with 661 new pump-action rifles.

    Usman gave the commendation in a statement made available to newsmen on Sunday in Lagos by the Public Affairs Manager of NPA, Chief Michael Ajayi.

    According to her, the authority is particularly impressed with the fact that the controversial 40 ft container manifested to be carrying steel doors had actually exited the port before it was timely intercepted somewhere around Mile 2, Lagos.

    “This remarkably is a proof that the Customs management has put in place, more than one layer of security arrangement to ensure that nothing dangerous actually escapes the eagle-eye of a Customs Service.

    “Without this interception, the authority would rather not want to imagine what could have happened to the peace, lives and properties of innocent Nigerians,” Ajayi said.

    She, therefore, advised that the scope of investigation in respect of this deadly cargo should be broad and thorough.

    The managing director also urged all the security agencies serving in the ports to be extra-vigilant, to avoid a re-occurrence of such totally prohibited cargo entering and exiting the port.

    Usman, consequently, urged whistle blowers to avail themselves in future, of platforms already put in place by the Authority.

    According to her, this would ensure timely presentation of information and intelligence needed to enable the authorities nip in the bud, such acts of illegality.

     

  • NPA, NCS partner to create ‘single window’ at seaport

    NPA, NCS partner to create ‘single window’ at seaport

    The Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA has revealed it is partnering the Nigerian Customs Service, NCS to creating a ‘single window’ platform at the ports for smooth operations.

    This was revealed by the Managing Director of NPA, Hadiza Balla Usman when she recently paid a courtesy call to the Comptroller General of Customs, Hameed Ali in Abuja.

    Usman said the two agencies have embarked on the establishment of SW through an intense automation and introduction of Standard Operative Procedure (SOP) at the port.

    Usman noted further that the adoption of Single Window would make Nigerian ports competitive in the international trade network and boost trade facilitation programme of the government.

    The NPA boss further noted that the synergy on Single Window would boost government revenue and promote public private partnership through the attraction of local and foreign direct investment.

    She said government was aware of its responsibilities to create enabling business environment for businesses to thrive.

    In her words: “The goal of trade facilitation is to help trade across borders, import and export faster, cheaper and more predictably while ensuring its safety and security.

    “Trade facilitation focuses on simplifying and harmonizing formalities, procedures and the related exchange of information and documents between the various partners in a supply chain.”

    “I would therefore urge us not to lose track as well as relentless commitment as to meet the target of Nigeria joining 20 other countries to be in the forefront of implementing an efficient, effective and sustainable single window in 2020, ” Usman said.

    Responding, Customs Comptroller General Hameed Ali said Usman’s visit would lead to regular meetings and constant consultation between the two agencies.

    Ali explained that the NCS would “do everything possible” in promoting the trade facilitation programme of government through collaboration with sister agencies and through robust initiatives to promote business at ports.

    He promised the readiness of the NCS to work in partnership with the NPA to bring about a viable business environment in Nigerian ports.

  • NPA to collaborate with govt. agencies to improve World Bank ranking

    NPA to collaborate with govt. agencies to improve World Bank ranking

    The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has called for continuous collaboration between government agencies and other stakeholders to achieve collective success and move up their ranking position by the World Bank.

    The Managing Director of NPA, Ms Hadiza Usman, made this known in an interview with newsmen in Lagos.

    Usman said that it was important to appreciate that some other agencies and stakeholders usually challenged the efficiency of NPA.

    “I call on these agencies which had deliberated on the ease of doing business.

    “We have highlighted everybody’s roles and provided a timeline for everyone to turn around his own company as well as other government agencies, ‘’ Usman said.

    She said that if government agencies and stakeholders in the maritime sector worked in isolation, it would be challenging for the industry to increase its ranking and operations.

    Usman said that there was need for government agencies to work together toward national interest because the success of any agency was the success of the Federal Government.

    The NPA boss said that if all agencies collaborate to achieve success, it would facilitate the development of the Nigerian maritime industry.