NPA boss receives World Maritime University President, hails collaboration on Eastern ports security

The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) says it is collaborating with the World Maritime University (WMU) in Malmo, Sweden, for improved security of the ports under the Western and Central Africa Ports Security project (WeCAPs).

The Managing Director of NPA, Mr Mohammed Bello-Koko, said this while receiving the President of the World Maritime University, Dr Cleopatra Doumbia-Henry who led the WMU delegation to the NPA headquarters on Tuesday, November 8.

Koko lauded WMU for the support being accorded NPA under the port security project which, he described, as a crucial aspect of the university President’s visit.

“Our relentless efforts at improving channel security in the Eastern Ports which are achieving results evidenced by growth in cargo throughput at Onne Port and vessel calls in Calabar Port have benefitted from the insights of the WeCAPS team.

“Our doors remain open to more ideas and partnership that will enable us optimize those strategic national assets,’’ he said.

On talent development drive, the NPA boss reiterated the Authority’s resolve to leverage its relationship with the World Maritime University by tapping the knowledge of their employees who are alumni of the university.

Bello-Koko said: “We have been tapping the knowledge of our employees who are alumni of the World Maritime University in the implementation of our ongoing efforts at deepening efficiency in our operations by getting them to cascade skills and competencies gained to organizational advantage.

“For instance, the Ballast Water Management Desk we established is headed by an alumnus of the WMU.’’

ln her response, Dr. Cleopatra, who incidentally is the first female to occupy the university’s presidency, expressed delight at the number of the Authority’s employees who are alumni of the university.

She pledged her institution’s readiness to strengthen cooperation with the Nigerian Ports Authority.