Mallam Habib Abdullahi, managing director of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), has urged top management staff of the organization to remain focused and rededicate themselves toward attaining its mission and vision of becoming the leading port in Africa and to deliver efficient port services in a safe, secure and customer friendly environment.
While speaking at a retreat, Abdullahi recently made the call-on to management staff, fashioning out a five year strategic development plan for the NPA, according to Ships and Ports Daily.
He said time has come for every top management staff of the Authority to initiate strategies for the overall development of the nation’s seaports to meet International standards.’
While reiterating the need for all top management staff members to embrace new technology and innovation; which can make the mission and vision a reality, he urged participants to draw a roadmap for the future of the organization.
Speaking earlier, Mr. Olumide Oduntan, executive director, Finance and Administration of NPA, told the gathering comprising of Executive Directors, General Managers,Assistant General Managers and Port Managers that as leaders, there are subordinates who look forward to them for inspiration and leadership.
According to him, NPA has a direction that is outlined in its vision and mission, which all management staff must key into.
After watching a video clip on the Port of Singapore during the opening session, Odunatan told the participants that “nothing happens by chance. Somebody or group of people dreamt about what is happening now in Singapore and other major ports of the world some years ago”.
Participants at the weekend retreat stressed the need for every employee to imbibe the culture of efficiency and leave no margin for error at the work place irrespective of cadre in the organization.
Participated also suggested other areas for management to look into include reward and consequence systems in the work environment, motivation, attitudinal change, succession plans, political interference, multiplicity of agencies at the ports, monitoring and evaluation of performance , among others.
Meanwhile, Abdullahi has called for mutual economic cooperation between NPA and the Port of Hong Kong, especially in the area of training and manpower development.
Abdullahi made the call in Lagos recently while receiving the International President of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT), Dr. Dorothy Chan who paid a courtesy visit to his office recently.
He said NPA has operated the landlord model of port operation since 2006 after port terminals were out-sourced to private operators.
He said NPA is willing to avail its experiences to other ports who may wish to operate the model.
Abdullahi noted that NPA has benefited from the programs of CILT and other organizations like the Port Management Association of West and Central Africa (PMAWCA), International Association and Ports and Harbours (IAPH), and others.
While acknowledging the support of the International President to the Nigerian chapter, he assured Chan that NPA will continue to give maximum support to the activities of CILT.
Earlier, the CILT International President who hails from Hong Kong and is the first female President of the 95 year old institute, said she is aware of the enormous contributions NPA has made towards the growth of CILT in Nigeria.
Chan appealed to Abdullahi to assist CILT Nigeria in respect of its bill before the National Assembly which she said aims at according professional recognition to CILT in Nigeria.
She was accompanied on the visit by the International Secretary General of the institute, Keith Newton; President of CILT Nigeria, Major General U.T Usman, CILT Nigeria National Executive Director, Francis Ehiguese; and the Chairpersons of Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa and Ugandan chapters of Women in Logistics and Transport (WILAT).