In response to the low revenue profile of Nigeria’s marine transport, Senate on Monday begins public hearing with a view to amend an Act establishing Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) and Nigeria Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA).
In his opening address, Senate President, Bukola Saraki, who was represented by Deputy Minority Whip, Senator Philip Aduda stressed that the nation’s marine sector had fallen short of meeting the needs of water transportation system and by extension, the nation was losing huge revenues.
He noted that the effective means of water transport was the creation of enabling environment for private participation, saying the 8th Senate was committed to making sure, Acts of NIWA and that of NPA were amended.
“The 8th Senate will take time to create enabling laws for private sector participation and NIWA must be part of Nigeria’s agencies that generates revenues for economic growth,” he said.
Committee Chairman, Senator Ahmad Sani Yerima stated that the proposed amendment would look towards the direction of huge revenue generation and creation of jobs.
According to him, the concession arrangement of Nigeria Ports Authority in 2016 which made the NPA a mere landlord lacks legal backing, hence, the Senate would couch laws that set performance benchmark in accordance with global best practices.
“With the concessioning of the Port Terminals in 2016, the Nigerian Ports Authority is no longer in active participation in the day-to-day running of ports in Nigeria. We will set benchmark and give adequate legal backing”, Sani added.
He was optimistic that the nation’s marine transport would be part of Nigeria’s quest for economic recovery.
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