By Godfrey Bivbere & Vivian Nwokedi
Following the outcry that greeted alleged plans by the management of the Nigeria Ports Authority, NPA, to sack some of its workers, the authority’s Managing Director, Engr. Omar Sulaiman, has assured members of staff that they will only embark on redeployment of personnel to appropriate departments and units as a means of optimising operations.

Sulaiman who gave the assurance in Lagos, said NPA had trained manpower and resources but regretted that there was the need to redeploy them to appropriate departments and units to ensure that NPA meets its responsibility.

He said at the completion of the restructuring, the ports will be charged with more operational responsibilities, and  appropriate measures will be taken to ensure that decisions were made at port levels to enhance rapid response to operational exigencies.

A press statement signed by the Chief Michael Ajayi, General Manager in charge of Public Affairs quoted the NPA boss to a given the assurance when he played host to members of the Shippers Association of Nigeria (SAN).

Ajayi noted that the Authority’s boss said “With the size we have if we are to consider the job we are supposed to do with the Terminal Operators and do it as required, I cannot say that we are in excess to requirements for now.  Only that there are certain departments that need retraining and re-skilling so that the personnel can acquire appropriate skills to enable them cope with their new challenges.”

He pointed out that when the new structure comes on stream, it would empower the management at the ports level to take some decisions without having to come to the headquarters, adding that this was necessary in order to hasten quick operational decisions in the system.

He promised to establish a super structure capable of achieving fast response time to issues affecting ports operations.

While pledging his continuous support and cooperation with the Association, Sulaiman implored the group to assist the government in reducing the cost shipping business in the country, so as to increase the volume of trade in and out of Nigeria.

He reiterated the Authority’s determination to improve navigation in the channel through dredging and removal of wrecks as well as improved channel management, further noting that government expects a reciprocal move from shippers to reduce the cost of shipping in the country.

Sulaiman assured members of SAN that he would ensure a regular monthly and quarterly meeting with them and other stakeholders in a bid to identify any problems in the system and work at jointly solving them.