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.
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