By Godwin Oritse
MINSTER of Transport Alhaji Yusuf Sulaiman has warned the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) against late preparation of its annual budget, a development that stalled the provision of  infrastructure and common user facilities in the ports.

Suleiman gave this warning at a meeting with the management of the NPA and  advised that early preparation of the 2011 budget should commence with a view to changing the trend

The Minister who was in Lagos last week on a facility tour of the port formation also stated  that the ealier these budgets get to Ministry, the better as the Ministry officials have ample time to deal with it before it is presented to the National Assembly..

The Minister explained  that the growth of the Port industry is a collective responsibility of management of the organisation and other maritime stakeholders in general.

Recalling the outcome of the meeting he held with concessionaires the Minister said that as landlord and custodian of the nation’s economy, NPA has the huge responsibility of ensuring that the ports are competitive and able to attract foreign investment.

“I am impressed with the commitment and dedication of both staff and personnel of the NPA and other venture partners.  The dedication has provided peaceful and efficient, navigation and safety in our waters” he said.

Assuring the Minister to make the Nigerian ports ports of choice in Africa NPA’s  Managing Director Malam Abdul Salam Mohammed has said that the Nigerian Ports Authority is committed to achieve its vision to be the leading Port in Africa

The NPA boss promised the Minister of the authority cooperation  for the opportunity and assured him of the cooperation of the Management as always in achieving the mandate of building a virile port industry.

Some of the facilities visited by the Minister includes t the Lagos Channel Management Operations (LCM) and the Continental Shipyard Limited (CSL) in Lagos.