NPCC Pays Courtesy Visit To ENL

NPCC Pays Courtesy Visit To ENL
……….says inadequate funding, impediment To Its Activities

L-R Mr.Mark Walsh,,Prof Bamidele Badejo,NPCC, Vicky Haastrup, Chairman,ENL Consortium Limited,and Mr.Bolaji Sunmola, Chairman NPCCC, during the Courtesy Visit of NPCC to ENL Consortium Limited,on Tuesday,in Lagos.

By Frank Odinukaeze

Inadequate funding ,lack of strong support ,and corporation from the stakeholders are major challenges militating against the operations and activities of the Nigerian Port Consultative Council (NPCCC). Chairman of the Council,Mr.Bolaji Sunmola has stated.

The NPCC Chairman,made these remarks during a courtesy visit to the ENL Consortium Limited on Tuesday,at Apapa offic of the company in Lagos.
He said the purpose of the visit is to familiarise the management of the ENL with the activities of th NPCC,moreso as a new administration is now in charge after the demise of its former Chairman,Otunba Kunle Folarin.
Mr. Sunmola acknowledged the pivotal role of the NPCC, a decision-making body established before Nigeria’s independence in 1960, in overseeing port-related matters such as operations, safety, and environmental impact.
He emphasized the council’s mission to foster stakeholder collaboration for sustainable development in the port sector.

He noted that the NPCC has significantly expanded its scope to meet the growing needs of Nigeria’s maritime sector.

He said the PCC,as an advocacy body is saddled with the responsibility of ensuring that right policies are put in place to enhance port governance and operations.
He noted that adequate funding and stakeholders support are pivotal to the operations of the NPCC.
He said,” We are not adequately funded.Adequate funding or subvention from the government and stakeholders would enable us to perform better.We want to engage in capacity building to improve port operations.If we are well funded ,we would
do a lot for the port industry”.

Responding , Executive Chairman of the ENL,Mrs Vicky Haastrup,welcomed the visitors ,noting the significant and strategic importance of the NPCC .
The ENL boss however stated that there is need to revive the NPCC ,which she observed had been a bit silent.
She said,”People are begging to forget the PCC.PCC was onc a very powerful One – Stop Shop where problems in the industry are solved.It was a plac where everyone lays their problems and they are solved right there.”
She added,”We need to go back to those good old days.We need to re enact the old values of the NPCC.NPCC was a powerful Council that everyone held in highest regard.There is Indeed the need to bring back the good old days of the Council”.

It was observed that the government is not doing enough to harness the Opportunities in the the Marine and Blue Economy.
It was further observed that ,” We are already operating the “Marine”, but the “Blue” in the economy ,what are we doing with it?” The Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy was urged to come up with clear policy to harness the Opportunities inherent in the Blue Economy.
The courtesy was a continuation of the present leadership of the NPCC led by Mr .BOLAJI SUNMOLA to keep stakeholders abreast with the activities of the NPCC,and the need to foster collaborations.
The PCC delegation included,Capt. Emmanuel Ebubeogu, Professor Bamidele Badejo,Mr Opara Basil; Mr.Patrick Ezedinmbu,and Mr.Olanipekun Michael,while Mr.Mark Walsh ,Mr.Boye Uzamot, represented the ENL Consortium Limited.