By Mercy Aikoye
The House of Representatives Committee on Ports and Harbors plans to collaborate with maritime stakeholders to enhance government’s efforts in curbing revenue leakages in the sector.
The Chairman of the Committee, Mr. Nnolim Nnaji, who stated this during the inaugural meeting of the committee, emphasized the adoption of industry best practices for effective results.
Mr. Nnaji assured a dedication to transparency, collaboration, and open dialogue with Ministries, Agencies, the Private sector, and the public.
According to him, the Committee is very important and crucial because of the major roles the sector plays in the economy and national life.
“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”, he said.
Nnaji said 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.
He said the Ministry, Departments and Agencies (MDAs)for which the Committee will have direct oversight responsibility are: 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 thereafter called for the commitment of members towards ensuring that we deliver to our people a safe, secured and viable ports and harbours.
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