{"id":128233,"date":"2026-07-09T14:43:46","date_gmt":"2026-07-09T13:43:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pointblanknews.com\/pbn\/?p=128233"},"modified":"2026-07-09T14:43:46","modified_gmt":"2026-07-09T13:43:46","slug":"group-backs-npa-md-hails-tinubus-maritime-reform-agenda","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pointblanknews.com\/pbn\/news\/group-backs-npa-md-hails-tinubus-maritime-reform-agenda\/","title":{"rendered":"Group Backs NPA MD, Hails Tinubu\u2019s Maritime Reform Agenda"},"content":{"rendered":"<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>By Tracy Moses<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">The National Coalition for Transformative Reforms (NCTR) has thrown its weight behind the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Abubakar Dantsoho, praising his leadership and describing his appointment by President Bola Tinubu as a major boost to the ongoing transformation of Nigeria\u2019s maritime sector.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">The coalition said Dantsoho\u2019s stewardship has strengthened the Federal Government\u2019s drive to modernise the nation\u2019s ports, improve operational efficiency and position Nigeria as a leading maritime hub in West and Central Africa.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">The endorsement was contained in a statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja by the coalition\u2019s Executive Director, Dr. Richard Ocheje, who also applauded the Tinubu administration\u2019s broader reform agenda in the marine and blue economy.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">According to Ocheje, the administration has shown a strong commitment to repositioning the maritime industry through infrastructure renewal, digital transformation and regulatory reforms designed to boost trade, attract investment and increase government revenue.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">He noted that under Dantsoho\u2019s leadership, the NPA has implemented reforms that have enhanced public confidence in the agency while aligning with the Federal Government\u2019s port modernisation objectives.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>\u201cThe MD has within a short time given the NPA a brand new image. As a regulator, the agency has left no one in doubt that the man in charge is a square peg in a square hole,\u201d Ocheje said.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Ocheje highlighted key infrastructure projects currently underway, including a \u00a3746 million United Kingdom-backed financing arrangement signed in March 2026 to support the rehabilitation and modernisation of the Lagos Port Complex, Apapa, and Tin Can Island Port.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">He also pointed to the Federal Government\u2019s proposed $1 billion seaport reconstruction programme, which is expected to facilitate the rehabilitation of five major ports\u2014Apapa, Tin Can Island, Calabar, Warri, and Port Harcourt\/Onne\u2014over a 48-month period.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">According to him, the government is equally advancing plans to develop five deep seaports in Badagry, Olokola, Ibom, Bakassi and Bonny as part of efforts to expand cargo handling capacity and strengthen Nigeria\u2019s maritime infrastructure.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">The NCTR executive director also commended the administration\u2019s technology-driven reforms, particularly the implementation of the National Single Window platform, which he said would simplify cargo clearance processes, reduce vessel waiting time and improve efficiency across Nigerian ports.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>\u201cThis digital platform is aimed at integrating port operations and streamlining cargo clearance, reducing vessel waiting and cargo turnaround times. No doubt, this will promote both efficiency and effectiveness,\u201d he said.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">On the regulatory front, Ocheje welcomed the passage of the Nigerian Port Economic Regulatory Agency (NPERA) Bill by the National Assembly, describing it as a significant step towards strengthening governance in the maritime sector.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">He said the proposed legislation would establish an independent economic regulator responsible for overseeing port tariffs, enforcing service standards and promoting transparency, efficiency and healthy competition across the industry.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Ocheje expressed optimism that the sustained implementation of the ongoing reforms would improve Nigeria\u2019s ease of doing business, reinforce the country\u2019s position as a regional maritime hub and unlock greater opportunities for investment, trade and economic growth.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Federal Government has identified the Marine and Blue Economy as a critical pillar of its economic diversification strategy and a key source of non-oil revenue. Since establishing the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy in 2023, the administration has rolled out a series of initiatives aimed at modernising port infrastructure, improving cargo handling and attracting greater private sector investment into the maritime industry.<\/p>\n<!-- AddThis Advanced Settings generic via filter on the_content --><!-- AddThis Share Buttons generic via filter on the_content --><!-- AddThis Related Posts generic via filter on the_content -->","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>By Tracy Moses The National Coalition for Transformative Reforms (NCTR) has thrown its weight behind the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Abubakar Dantsoho, praising his leadership and&hellip;<!-- AddThis Advanced Settings generic via filter on wp_trim_excerpt --><!-- AddThis Share Buttons generic via filter on wp_trim_excerpt --><!-- AddThis Related Posts generic via filter on wp_trim_excerpt --><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":128234,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-128233","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.8 - 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