The House of Representatives Committee on Ports and Harbours says it will visit other countries to learn about port decongestion.
The Chairman of the Committee, Nnolim Nnaji, who said this at the inaugural meeting of the committee, said that Port congestion affects businesses negatively.
He also said that the committee would partner with stakeholders in the maritime industry to expand the frontiers of the government’s crusade on checking revenue leakages in the sector.
Nnaji said that the committee would engage the industry’s best practices to achieve their objective.
He said the Committee will be committed to transparency, collaboration and open dialogue with all stakeholders, including Ministries, Agencies, Private sector and the general public.
The chairman said the Committee is very important and crucial because of the major roles the sector plays in the economy and national life.
“It therefore presents all of us an ample time to effect changes that will reshape this unique and high-tech sector and position it to strategically compete in the global space.Ports and Harbours in the Maritime sector, is very dynamic and we must constantly review the standards, facilities and operational guidelines to keep pace with its obtainable global best practices. I wish to reiterate the Committee’s commitment to ensure that the sector remains one of the best through appropriate legislation and oversight, so that at the end of the day, we would have succeeded in bequeathing to Nigerians, a Ports and Harbours that is properly regulated and better managed for greater efficiency. We cannot overemphasize the importance of this sector to the country’s Gross Domestic Product and revenue generation. We intend to collaborate with relevant agencies to ensure that appropriate avenues are created for its economic development and then make it to be a better non-oil revenue generating sector as is witnessed in other advanced economies.
“It is imperative to note that the development of our Ports and Harbours is an added advantage to the growth of our economy. It is in this vein that the House of Representatives will continue to support total rehabilitation and upgrading of our Ports and Harbours and allied services.” The Committee Chairman said.
He explained that the essence of the meeting was to provide the first interface for members to interact with good understanding of the operations of the Ministry and Agencies under the Committee’s jurisdiction.
Nnaji said it was also to create the enabling environment and synergy towards achieving the mandate of the Federal Government in the Maritime sector transforming agenda, as well as aligning the sector with its contemporary demands, developmental goals, international standards and best practices.
He further disclosed that the Committee’s sphere of supervision/oversight shall cover the Ministry responsible for Marine and Blue Economy and its Parastatals (save those assigned to other Committees); Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA); Ports, Docks and Harbours; and Annual Budget Estimates.
Nnaji said that the Ministry, Departments and Agencies (MDAs)for which the Committee will have direct oversight responsibility are: the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy; Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA); Council for Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN); and Terminal Operators and Commission Agents.
He expressed appreciation to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas for his optimum support to the Committee and his passion in actualizing the legislative agenda.
The Chairman of the Committee also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for his willingness to collaborate with the National Assembly in developing the all-important sector.
He encouraged members of the committee to be committed and work toward ensuring that they deliver to the people safe, secure, viable ports and harbours.
“I encourage you all to bring your unique perspectives and experiences to the table, as they will be invaluable in shaping our policies and recommendations. Our successes will be measured not only by the solutions we propose but also by the bipartisan cooperation and unity of purpose that we foster within this Committee,” he said.
Nnaji added that the House of Representatives is ever ready to provide the necessary legislation and needed oversight to achieve the purpose.
