Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has called on the Nigerian Ports Authority Board to take decisive steps towards ending the underutilisation of the two seaports in the state to ensure their full optimisation in boosting economic growth, create jobs, and attract investment.
Governor Fubara made the call today when he received a delegation of the NPA Board and Management, led by its Chairman, Senator Adeyeye Adedayo, on a courtesy visit at Government House, Port Harcourt.
The Governor expressed gratitude for the visit, saying the peaceful disposition of his administration has provided a conducive environment for port operations and business activities in the state.
Governor Fubara who underscored the importance of seaports and airports in driving economic prosperity, which he noted Rivers State is strategically positioned with ports in Port Harcourt and Onne, however lamented their underutilisation and sued for collaboration between the state government and NPA address the challenge.
He praised the NPA Board for seeking collaboration with the state government before embarking on intervention projects, describing the move as a sign of respect and a guarantee of success.
Governor Fubara assured the board of his administration’s full support, adding that federal agencies must always engage the state government in their activities for effective results.
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The Governor also assured that the state will tackle ancillary issues such as traffic control and trailer congestion affecting the activities in the Ports, establish a standard police station within the port precincts to enhance safety as well as address issues of land encroachment and flooding around the port facilities.
Earlier, the Chairman, Board of the Nigerian Ports Authority, Senator Adeyeye Adedayo who congratulated Governor Fubara for his assumption of duties, intimated him of their intervention programmes in the state as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility and called for collaboration with government to avoid duplication of projects.
He also appeal to the Governor to assist in addressing the challenge of deplorable road, traffic congestion, security and flooding affecting port activities in the state.
