By Foster Obi
Olu of Warri, HIS Royal Majesty, OgiameIkewoli 11 has called on all stakeholders in the Delta Ports to give maximum and unflinching support to the Management of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), under HadizaBala Usman to sustain transformation in the region.
The Royal father made this call while receiving the representative of the Managing Director, the Executive Director, Marine and Operations, Dr. Sokonte Davies inhis palace in Warri on Tuesday June 26th, 2018.
According to the Monarch, HadizaBala Usman, as the first female Managing Director has transformed the fortunes of the sea ports in his domain, namely Warri, Koko and Sapele ports which has been dormant over the years and therefore the people of the domain will always be proud to associate with her.
While praying for Bala Usman to succeed in her assignment, he said the people are excited and happy about the dredging of Escravos channel which would boost the economy of Delta state.
Earlier, Dr. Sokonte had informed the traditional ruler that the Authority has concluded plans to commence the dredging of the Escravos channel.
In his welcome address, the Port Manager of Delta ports, Warri, Mr Simon Okeke disclosed that Warri port has never had it better than now and commended the present executive Management for providing infrastructure that is making Warri port to function optimally.
In a related development, while in Warri, Dr. Sokonte chaired the 3rd edition of the stakeholders’ forum for Warri port.
In his remarks, Dr. Sokonte noted that the present Management had initiated the idea of the Forum as a way of identifying the challenges of the industry and also to monitor the pace of progress in ports operations.
He pointed out that one such challenges is the issue of draught of the channels and that Management is encouraging stakeholders to embrace the use of flat Bottom Vessels (FBN) at Warri port which has been experimented in Calabar port. Another Stakeholder, who is also the President of the Warri Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture{WACCIMA}, Mr. Simon Asite lauded the efforts of the present Management under the Managing Director, Hadiza towards moving the maritime sector forward in the Delta region.
Chairman, Ogbe\Ijaw Local Government Council, the host community, Hon. Friday Dengham assured the Management that his council will ensure adequate security so that the on-going projects in Delta ports will go on uninterrupted.
